OPP warn public of ‘grandkid’ scams still active in area

The Lennox & Addington (L&A) County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is warning the public of a recent increase in “grandkid” scams, after two people were defrauded almost $10,000 each.

In November 2021, OPP informed the eastern Ontario region that scams of this nature had resurfaced, and Kingston Police reported calls regarding this scam at that time as well.

With this scam, according to the OPP, the victim receives a phone call from someone claiming to be their grandchild or other family member, stating that they have been arrested and need bail money.

In a media release, OPP said that in both cases, a male driving a dark-coloured van claiming to be a “bondsman” showed up to collect the money from the victims.

The L&A County OPP is warning the public to be aware of these fraudulent phone calls and to report any incidents to police immediately. The OPP is further reminding the public to always be suspicious of phone calls that request money, and to never offer personal information or money over the phone.

The L&A County OPP is asking anyone who believes they may be a victim of this scam to contact 1-888-310-1122.

Further information can be obtained from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) online at https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm or by calling toll free at 1-888-495-8501.