Canada
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Scams targeting grandparents on the rise in Quebec and across the country

Grandparent scams are estimated to have claimed more than $9.2 million in Canada, a significant increase from $2.4 million in 2021.

Quebecers were victims of $732,000 in grandparent scams in 2022, ranking behind Ontario and Alberta.
Quebecers were victims of $732,000 in grandparent scams in 2022, ranking behind Ontario and Alberta. Fotolia

Quebecers were victims of $732,000 in grandparent scams in 2022, ranking behind Ontario and Alberta.

With these incidents on the rise in Canada, the RCMP and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) will hold a fraud prevention campaign Feb. 6-10 to raise awareness.

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Last year, fraud cost Canadians $530 million, an increase of almost 40 per cent from the $380 million stolen in 2021.

Both the number of victims and the amounts stolen continue to grow in 2021, according to CAFC communications officer Jeff Horncastle. CAFC processed complaints from 323 victims; a year later, 1,1000 people reported scams.

CAFC estimates only five to 10 per cent of victims report fraud.

Grandparent scams are estimated to have claimed more than $9.2 million in Canada, a significant increase from $2.4 million in 2021.

Over half of these losses (5.4 million) occurred in Ontario, followed by $1.1 million in Alberta, then Quebec with British Columbia ($322,000) and Manitoba ($313,000).

The RCMP will share tips, newsletters and social media posts throughout the week to raise awareness of this type of fraud.

Police say anyone who knows a senior at risk of being targeted should talk to them so they can explain what to do if they receive such a call. CAFC recommends establishing a code word to verify the authenticity of the individual on the line.

Any victim of fraud is advised to report the crime to their local police department and the centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online, even if no financial loss has been incurred.