The Prince Albert Police Service is reminding the public of frauds centered around false emergencies as we near the end of Fraud Prevention Month. The P.A. Police Service says these fake emergency frauds have been around for a long time, however there have been recent incidents reported to police. The Moose Jaw and Regina Police Services are also reporting recent incidents.
The Family/Grandparent Emergency Scam involves a potential victim, usually an older adult, receiving a phone call from someone who will ask something like, “You know who this is, don’t you?” to which the victim may say a family member’s name and then the con begins with that supposed family member being in an emergency and requiring money. Sometimes there is also a second fraudster who pretends to be someone in authority like a police officer, lawyer or doctor and to further the ruse, the supposed “injured” person will also speak on the phone. A common tactic is to say they broke their nose which is why they sound different.
Payment is requested in cash, or as gift cards or cryptocurrency. The Prince Albert Police Service says no legitimate authority would make such requests. If you have been a victim of a scam and suffered a financial loss, report the incident to police.