Ongoing Telephone Fraud

Aug 22, 2024

The Edmundston Police Force is warning the population that a telephone fraud, called the Grandparents Fraud is currently active in the region. This is a telephone fraud where people try to pass themselves off as a family member in distress, citing an urgent need for financial assistance.

Scammers generally attempt to pose as a family member (grandchild, niece, cousin, or even a friend of a family member) who is in an emergency situation such as an accident or arrest. Their story generally follows a realistic scenario that aims to trigger anxiety reactions and create a sense of urgency to act. They can often claim that they are in the company of people in authority such as a police officer or a professional such as a doctor or lawyer.

They are asking for emergency financial assistance, in particular to pay for damage to a vehicle, fees, bail costs for release, treatment costs, etc. They will beg you not to tell anyone and sometimes even lie about why you are withdrawing money.

We remind you that it is very important not to give personal and/or banking information over the telephone or on the internet, to anyone who communicates with you under false pretenses, with the aim of extracting information and/or money from you. If you believe you are a victim of fraud, please contact the Edmundston Police Force at 506.739.2100 or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Call Center (CAFC) at 1-888-495-8501.

Talk to your parents, your grandparents and tell them to remain vigilant!

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Contact: Edmundston police force, 506.739.2100