Fraudsters continue to target the Shuswap, with a resident recently taken for $1,900 through the grandparent scam.
On March 20, Salmon Arm RCMP received a report from a woman who’d been defrauded. She told police she’d received a text message from someone claiming to be her son and needing money. She sent the money via e-transfer to an unfamiliar email address set up with auto-deposit. She didn’t realize she’d been scammed until after the money was sent, said police.
“Salmon Arm RCMP recommend being diligent before e-transferring anyone money,” advised Const. Andrew Hodges in a media release. “This could include speaking to the person in real life, or if speaking over the phone, then using code words to confirm their identity.”
Hodges said never assume phone numbers and names appearing on your call display are accurate, and “don’t be afraid to say no.”
In February, Vernon North Okanagan RCMP issued a warning about a local spike in grandparent scams, a type of emergency scam that uses urgency and manipulates emotions in order to extort money from the victims. In most cases, the fraudster cold calls the victim pretending to be a family member in an emergency situation and needing money immediately.
The victims are sent to their bank to get the cash and are either told to send it in the mail, or that a courier will come to pick it up.
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