Huntsville OPP wants to alert residents that there are people in the community conducting grandparent scams. Police are looking for the public's assistance in identifying suspects.
In the two reported cases Wednesday an elderly woman was defrauded of $5,000 cash by a suspect posing as a bailiff who needed the money to release her grandson from jail. The second report was from an elderly female giving $6,000 to a caller posing as her grandson who called a taxi to pick her up to get to her bank to withdraw cash.
The suspect appears to be a woman with dark hair wearing dark clothing, posing as a bailiff or law enforcement agency member.
If you receive a suspicious call, remember:
- Be suspicious of calls that require immediate action. Hang up and contact the family member directly.
- The caller either doesn't provide a normal jail location for the area if asked or mistakes the local police service. Call the non-emergency number of the police service to verify the story or confirm the name and badge number of the officer calling.
- When at the bank, tell the truth about why you're taking out large sums of cash as bank tellers are very familiar with scams.
- The courts won't ask for cash to bail out someone in custody and will require people to be present in court.
- Never send cash, cryptocurrencies, or any other funds to unknown persons, unverified addresses or bank accounts.
- Take time to verify the story by asking the caller a few personal questions or pressing your caller for details. Scammers are counting on you wanting to quickly help your loved one in an emergency.
