(COLLINGWOOD, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Collingwood and The Blue Mountains Detachment is urging residents to remain vigilant following multiple reports of fraudulent phone calls. These incidents, identified as the “Grandparent Scam,” highlight the ongoing threat of fraud targeting vulnerable community members, particularly during Fraud Prevention Month.
On March 5, 2025, the OPP investigated numerous reports of suspicious phone calls in the Collingwood and The Blue Mountains area. Specifically, the fraudulent caller targeted seniors and claimed that a payment was needed immediately in order to be released from jail. These claims are utterly false and underscore the immediate impact on our community.
The “Grandparent Scam” is a sophisticated fraud where criminals impersonate a grandchild or close family member, often claiming they’ve been arrested, injured, or stranded and need immediate financial assistance. Fraudsters claim these funds are needed to pay bail, lawyers’ fees, hospital fees, ambulance fees, etc. These calls may use personal information gathered from social media or public records to appear legitimate, creating a sense of urgency that pressures victims into sending money via wire transfers, gift cards, or other untraceable methods.
The OPP advises residents to:
· Never provide personal or financial information over the phone unless you initiated the call and are certain of the recipient’s identity.
· Verify the caller’s identity by contacting the supposed family member directly using a known phone number.
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact the Collingwood OPP Detachment at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). For more information on the “Grandparent Scam” and other fraud prevention resources, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) website at www.antifraudcentre.ca This website is a great resource on scams and prevention tips.
