Calgary reports increase in grandparent scams: police

Calgary police are warning residents about an increase in grandma and grandpa scams targeting seniors.

As of January 2024, 32 incidents were reported to police, including 21 incidents totaling about $180,000 lost, according to Thursday's news release.

In nine of these incidents, the victims realized they had been scammed. The other two incidents were reported by a third party and it is not known whether the money was lost.

In this scam, suspects call potential victims, pretending to be someone close to them, telling them they've been arrested and need money for bail.

Victims are then told to send the money via wire transfer or by personally navigating through a bogus “bond collector,” where they are often pressured to keep quiet and threatened with a bogus restraining order.

In this case, the suspects are often disguised as law enforcement officers and lawyers. Calgary police stressed that officers are not involved in collecting bail money from citizens over the phone.

“These scammers are clever at using a number of methods to obtain personal information to make their story believable while tapping into the generosity, trustworthiness and willingness of the elderly to help their loved ones,” said Acting Sgt. This was reported by Craig Stothard of the Calgary Police Service.

“We encourage anyone who has been victimized to report the incident to the police or a trusted family member or friend immediately.”

Police are urging Calgarians to talk to senior citizens, reminding them not to give money to phone callers.

More information on how seniors can protect themselves from grandparent scams can be found on the Calgary Police Service website.

Anyone with information about the grandparent scam is asked to call police at 403-266-1234. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers.