Chatham-Kent police are warning the public about a rise in scams targeting seniors after getting multiple complaints from fraud victims this week.
The scams, commonly known as "grandparent scams", are a type of fraud where scammers impersonate a family member, often a grandchild, to trick the elderly into sending money, often for a false emergency or urgent need.
Police said the victims have been recently tricked into believing that their family members are in distress and that money is urgently needed for their release.
The scammers often claim to be affiliated with law enforcement and Chatham-Kent police is urging community members to be vigilant and protect themselves.
"The Chatham-Kent Police Service wants to make it clear that no officer, nor any affiliate of the police, will ever attend to collect money for bail or any other matter," police said in a news release. "These claims made by scammers are part of their deceptive tactics designed to manipulate the victim into complying with their demands."
Those wanting to report a fraud incident can contact Chatham-Kent police at 519-352-1234.
Contact Detective Constable Rob Bowles at 519-436-6600 ext: 80655 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) if you have any information that may assist with the ongoing investigations.