Police warn the community about grandparent scams after recent reports.
COBOURG (January 23, 2025) – Cobourg Police Service is issuing a fraud alert following recent grandparent scam.
In the recent fraud report, a resident was defrauded approximately $5,000. The victim reported being contacted by an individual claiming to be police who said their grandson had been arrested and required $5,000 for his bail. A man attended the victim’s home and retrieved the money. This investigation is ongoing.
Grandparent scams, or emergency scams, often target older adults and play on emotional vulnerabilities using urgency to trick people into sending large amounts of money. It is important to note that police and government agencies will never demand money over the phone or in person.
Recognize the red flags. In a grandparent scam, fraudsters may:
- Pose as a grandchild (family member or family friend) in trouble and in need of money.
- Pose as a police officer or lawyer saying that a family member is sick, injured, or in jail and requires large amounts of money to solve their situation.
- Request money to be delivered to or picked up by an unknown person.
- Tell you not to tell anyone and provide a fake code word.
If you receive a call like this, hang up immediately and call someone you trust or the police for an opinion about the call you just received.
Take the time to talk to your family and friends about fraud prevention.
If you or a family member were a victim of fraud, please contact the CPS at 905-372-6821 or the law enforcement agency in your jurisdiction. If a scammer has contacted you or a family member, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at or by phone 1-888-495-8501 (toll free).
Please visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website for a list of known scams, and to learn more about how to protect yourself.