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RCMP warns of 'Grandparent scam' return

Potential scammers may try to convince you that they have been in a car accident, in the hospital, or have been arrested.
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The St. Albert RCMP is warning that an old scam is resurfacing in 2025, and a senior almost lost over $7,000 because of it.

The local senior received a call from an unknown number, who claimed to be their grandson and required bail money. St. Albert RCMP said they intervened and were able to prevent the senior from sending the scam caller any money. 

This so-called "Grandparent scam" isn't new, but resurfaces every now and again. The RCMP says the scam usually involves a phone call, email, or contact via Facebook, Instagram, or other social media, and will typically be from someone pretending to be a loved one in trouble and in need of immediate money like for bail or a hospital expense. The scammer will then try and convince you to send payment right away, through wire transfer, crypto currency, gift cards, or by sending a courier to your home or a set location to pick up the cash. 

St. Albert RCMP want to remind the public that fraud can happen to anyone.  These fraudulent individuals are professional criminals, their scams are elaborate and they are very convincing on the phone.

The RCMP says that if you have been the victim of fraud or would like more information on all the different fraudulent scams in Canada to visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/

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