Several Wellington County residents have fallen victims to an emergency scam after it resurfaced in the region with a twist.
Emergency Scam tactics have changed recently which catch unsuspecting victims off guard. Now fraudsters will call you and advise your credit card is currently being used to purchase an item. However, this cannot occur because you are holding your card.
The caller advises you to call 911 immediately and report the incident to the police. As you hang up, the suspects stay on the line -- never truly disconnecting with you -- and they identify themselves as a 911 operator. They will ask you for credit card information or other personal identification to complete the scam.
Some warning signs that a scammer is in contact with you include creating a sense of urgency, fear and secrecy so the victim is less likely to wait to confirm the story. Fraudsters will also request money transfers or gift cards.
In the typical Emergency Scam, the victim will receive a frantic phone call from someone claiming to be a grandchild or loved one. The caller will desperately explain that they are involved in some sort of mishap or are having trouble returning from a foreign country and need money "right away." They will rely on your love for your family and will gain your trust to keep the matter secret. Fraudsters pressure people into wiring money or purchasing gift cards which they turn into cash by cloning the card. Once you wire or send the information on the gift card, your money is gone.
In 2017, the emergency scam claimed 125 victims in Ontario with losses of almost $500,000. Police said 95 per cent of these types of crimes are unreported.
If you or someone you know suspect they've been a victim of the Emergency Scam, hang up and contact your local police service or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or report the incident online at https://www.tipsubmit.com/start.htm.
