Community News

WASAGA BEACH COUPLE WANTS TO WARN YOU ABOUT PHONE SCAMMERS

BONNIE AND TOM GROSS SAY SCAMMERS POSED AS GRANDSON

IAN ADAMS

As soon as Bonnie Gross heard the voice at the other end of the line, she knew something was wrong.

Gross's husband, Tom, had just answered the phone and spoke to someone claiming to be their grandson. The caller said he'd been arrested following a traffic accident.

According to the socalled grandson, police had also found oxycontin in the vehicle, and he needed $5,000 for bail.

The voice was soft and the person spoke slowly. But he also identified himself by name.

"That's what really, really bothers me," Bonnie said. "I don't know how they could have found that out."

The caller then transferred over to a "lawyer," who was supposedly going to represent him.

Tom handed the phone to Bonnie, who had been working out in the garage. After a brief conversation, Bonnie hung up. She knew it was a scam.

"My heart was just pounding. I was really upset," she said.

According to the Ontario Provincial Police, there has been a recent increase in reports of the so-called emergency/grandparent scam.

"The scammers target vulnerable persons and seniors by playing upon their emotions and fear of a loved one being hurt or in trouble," stated Acting Sgt. Terri-Ann Pencarinha, Central Region OPP media relations co-ordinator.

In a typical emergency scam, the victim will receive

OPP photo a frantic phone call from someone claiming to be a grandchild or loved one. The caller will claim to have been in some sort of mishap, like a car accident, or be having trouble returning from a foreign country, and need money right away.

According to the OPP, the scammer will often insist the victim not tell anyone. The call could also involve someone claiming to be a law enforcement official, lawyer or bailiff.

The OPP say scammers can also use details shared on social-media platforms and dating sites, and search online accounts to find real names, real interests, real phone numbers and when you are going to be home or away.

The warning signs of a scam include urgency, fear, secrecy and a request for money. The OPP say to check with family members or a trusted friend to verify the information before sending money or providing credit card information.

That's just what Bonnie did, calling the couple's grandson immediately after hanging up and confirming that he was in school, not behind bars.

"There's hundreds and hundreds of these scammers, and they must be making calls every day. Hundreds and hundreds of calls," she said. "Scammer is a mild term, because they are out-and-out cockroach criminals."

If you or someone you know may have been the victim of an "emergency" scam, report it to the OPP at 1-888-310-1122, and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.

CRIME

en-ca

2022-06-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-06-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://communitynews.pressreader.com/article/281582359307551

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