The Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) is asking the public to be vigilant as the holidays approach, as grandparent scams may begin to re-circulate within the community.
The scam involves a caller pretending to be grandchild or family member who has been arrested or is in danger.
According to police, the caller indicates they need money and tells the victim that a lawyer, police officer or judge will contact them.
After obtaining information during the initial call, someone impersonating a lawyer, police officer, or judge makes a second call to the victim – where the scammer instructs them to withdraw a large amount of money and await further directions.
“The MJPS, lawyers, judges, or jails do not call people personally to request money. Also, if the caller is requesting payment via gift cards or Bitcoin, it’s a scam,” the service explained in news release.