The OPP, Elder Abuse Prevention Canada and the Older Adult Centres’ Assocation of Ontario are urging Ontarians to talk to their loved ones following a recent spike in the number of Grandparent Scam incidents in the West Region this year and last.
In 2022, the OPP responded to 348 such incident.
This is a 222 percent increase from 2021. Thieves using the scam defrauded Ontarians of over $5.4 million in 2022.
The scam involves receiving a frantic phone call from someone claiming to be a loved one, they say they have been involved in an emergency and demand immediate payment for bail, legal fees, fines or other amounts they say are owed.
A key element is them isolating the victim by telling them they cannot discuss it with anyone.
