Reports of text and phone scams continue to be received by the RCMP in Prince Edward Island, where scammers are impersonating children or relatives in urgent need of money.
Cpl. Gavin Moore, the P.E.I. RCMP’s media relations officer, highlighted the evolution of the long-standing “grandparent scam” to now target parents directly.
According to Moore, the new tactic involves parents receiving texts from unfamiliar numbers, claiming to be their child in need of money due to a lost or damaged phone.
The scammers request e-transfers or other forms of payment, hoping the parent will act swiftly without verifying the authenticity of the message.
RCMP emphasized in a recent news release that scammers are becoming more sophisticated, utilizing tactics like using a friend’s phone, manipulating caller ID, and leveraging information from social media to appear legitimate.
Victims have been asked to send thousands of dollars, posing a significant financial threat, as per the RCMP release.
While several complaints have been made about the scam in recent months on the island, Moore suggested that the actual number of incidents might be higher, as not all cases are reported to the police.
He noted that many victims feel embarrassed and may choose not to report being defrauded, with only a small percentage of victims typically reporting such incidents to the police.
Moore urged victims not to feel isolated, emphasizing that fraud can happen to anyone and advising them to seek help from the police for guidance on the next steps.
To prevent falling victim to such scams, the RCMP advises Islanders to take precautions such as verifying requests for money directly with the person through a trusted phone number, being cautious of urgent money requests accompanied by pressure or secrecy, and not solely relying on text messages or caller ID for verification.
If individuals suspect fraudulent activity, they are encouraged to take the time to verify before taking any action and to report incidents to their local police service and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
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