Police are issuing a warning after a Howard Township resident became the victim of the prevalent grandparent scam.
The Chatham-Kent Police Service said the victim recently received a call from someone posing as their grandson, who claimed to have been pulled over and arrested after police found a gun and drugs in the vehicle.
The scammer asked the victim for a significate amount of money to bail him out of jail and claimed there was a “gag order” in place to prevent them from telling anyone about the incident.
The money was wired to the scammer, who then continued to contact the victim with more stories and requests for money.
Police are now investigating the incident.
Authorities have provided the following tips to prevent yourself from becoming the victim of a scam:
- Take time to think. The fraudster will make it sound urgent to pressure you.
- Contact the family member in question. Emotions might be running high but take the time to check.
- Ask questions only family members would know.
- Call someone you trust or the police for an opinion about the call.
- Do not send any money.
Chatham-Kent residents who have been the victim of a scam can contact police by calling 519-352-1234.
