Fraud prevention: protecting our elders

Mar 21, 2022

The Edmundston Police Force reminds citizens to stay on the lookout for the tactics of telephone or computer fraudsters who can extract information, money and even your identity from you. Some fraudsters may pose as police officers, government agents, bank employees, and hydroelectric company representatives. These types of calls or solicitations (automated or not) are fraudulent. If you receive a call or internet solicitation such as this, don't give in to pressure or panic, just hang up or ignore the message.

Grandparents scam/urgent need for money

Suspects contact elders or others and claim their grandchild or family member was involved in an accident, charged with impaired driving, a drug offense or, in some cases, is ill with COVID-19. Suspects pose as a law enforcement official, a lawyer, and sometimes even the victim's grandchild or family member. They then inform the victim that they immediately need money to pay bail or a fine to avoid jail. If the victim agrees to pay the requested amount, the suspects arrange to collect the money in person or ask the victim to send it by mail.

How to protect yourself

- If you receive a suspicious call from a “family member” claiming to be in an emergency, hang up and contact the family member directly.

- If the caller claims to be a law enforcement official, hang up and contact the police directly.

- Listen to your inner voice saying, “That sounds wrong”.

- Be careful what you post online.

- Don't click on any suspicious links.

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. If you believe you are victim of a fraud, please contact the Edmundston Police Force at 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 stay vigilant!

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CONTACT: Edmundston Police Force, 506.739.2100