Skip to content

Police warn of emergency scam calls making the rounds

An area senior reported to police that a caller, claiming to be his granddaughter, had been in an accident before a man came on the phone and said that he needed to pay money because she had been arrested
scam highlighter
Stock image

NEWS RELEASE
SOUTH SIMCOE POLICE SERVICE
*************************
The South Simcoe Police Service wants to make the public aware the "Grandparent Scam" or "Emergency Scam" is targeting our communities.  We recently had a report from a senior who received a phone call from a female claiming to be his granddaughter. Her voice was raspy and she said it was because she had a cold. The female said she was in a car accident  Then a male suspect claiming to be from a law office came on the phone. The suspect told the senior his granddaughter had been arrested and that the senior needed to pay $8,000 for his granddaughter's release from jail. The male suspect instructed the senior not to tell the bank teller the reason for the large cash withdrawal and to say it was for "Christmas presents." A call back number was provided to the senior who wisely called police instead.  

The South Simcoe Police Service has the following tips to avoid this scam:

  • If you receive a call like this, take a deep breath, and hang up
  • Contact another family member to confirm the story
  • Be suspicious of calls that demand money and never offer personal information over the phone
  • It is a big red flag when a caller instructs you not to tell anyone what is happening
  • Don't be afraid to say "No"

If you have received one of these calls or have fallen victim to such a scam, please call the South Simcoe Police Service so we can investigate, track crime trends and warn others.  

*************************