RCMP warn of grandparent scams targeting Westlock, Morinville residents
RCMP are issuing a warning after a string of scams aimed at residents in Westlock and the surrounding area.
Mounties say several reports have been made about an attempted grandparent scam, where victims are called by someone pretending to need money to help out a loved one.
"Typically, suspects in grandparent scams will pretend to be lawyers, police officers, judges, or family members. Suspects will usually ask for cash, gift cards or Bitcoin," RCMP said.
The RCMP said artificial intelligence was likely used in some calls to "spoof" the voice of a relative or loved one.
The calls have been reported all over Alberta, with recent frauds noted in Westlock, Clyde and Morinville.
RCMP are reminding residents that bail is always paid in person at a courthouse or correctional centres.
"If a person claims to be a police officer or judge, call that police service or court house directly to confirm the situation – police and courts will never ask for any form of payment," RCMP said in a press release.
"Never give out personal information over the phone or online to someone you don’t know—the police or courts will not ask for personal information over the phone."
Anyone who has been a victim of these crimes, or anyone with information, should call Westlock RCMP at 780-349-4491 or local police.
Anonymous tips can be given to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www. p3tips.com.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
The Canadian border is an 'extreme vulnerability,' says Trump's pick; Miller predicts 'tough' talks
Immigration Minister Marc Miller says he agrees with the incoming American border czar that there will be 'tough conversations' ahead.
Trump will nominate Matt Gaetz as attorney general, Tulsi Gabbard as national security director
President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday said he will nominate Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida to serve as his attorney general, putting a loyalist in the role of the nation's top prosecutor.
Dave Coulier, 'Full House' star, has cancer
Dave Coulier, an actor and comedian who found fame as Uncle Joey on "Full House," has revealed he has been diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a blood cancer.
Overwhelmed families surrendering custody of their children to CAS
Overwhelmed families in Ontario are having to surrender their children to the Children's Aid Society, and according to the society, the residential crisis is part of the problem.
BREAKING Republicans will retain House majority, CNN projects, completing GOP’s dominance of Washington
Republicans have secured their monopoly on power in Donald Trump’s new Washington, retaining their majority in the House of Representatives, CNN projected Wednesday, after picking up seats in California and Arizona and ushering in a dramatic new era of right-wing populist rule.
Guns and drugs seized from organized crime group linked to Mexican cartel, RCMP say
Members of the RCMP’s federal police say they have arrested three men in B.C. for their alleged role in a “transnational organized crime group” connected to Mexican drug cartels plotting to import cocaine into Canada.
Testing confirms B.C. teen infected with Canada's first human case of avian flu
Federal health officials have confirmed that a B.C. teen who is currently in hospital has Canada's first human case of H5N1 avian flu.
This Canadian airline will adopt Apple's new AirTag feature to help recover lost baggage. Here's how
Apple announced that a new feature, 'Share Item Location,' will help users locate and recover misplaced items by sharing an AirTag location with third parties including airlines.
'You couldn't open the door': Concerns over awareness of and access to Tesla emergency latch after 4 killed in Toronto, 5 killed in Wisconsin
When a Tesla crashed on Lakeshore Boulevard in Toronto last month, the first people on scene knew there were occupants inside but couldn't immediately get them out.