City police are advising community members that the grandparent scam continues to target Thunder Bay residents.
Recently, the police service has received multiple reports of seniors receiving scam calls.
The scam involves residents receiving a call from a private number, with the caller claiming to be a lawyer representing the resident’s grandchild, who they claim requires help.
A voice can be heard in the background that is implied to be the grandchild.
The caller asks the resident to either electronically transfer funds to a provided email address or to have cash available to be picked up by a bond person.
City police’s Economic Crime Unit is urging family members and friends to speak to those who may be vulnerable to being targeted by this type of scam.
They add that the best way to avoid being victimized is to hang up the phone and try to reach the family member the scammers claim is in trouble to verify the story.
