‘Emergency’ or ‘grandparent’ scam circulating again in Medicine Hat
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MEDICINE HAT, AB – City police are reminding people to be aware of scams after a city resident was victimized by one of the most common ones.
The “Emergency Scam” is sometimes called the “Grandparent Scam,” Medicine Hat Police Service says.
In the scam, fraudsters contact potential victims while posing as a family member or friend in urgent need of cash, explain police in a news release. Often the scenario involves an accident or arrest while travelling abroad, with a request that cash be sent through a money transfer company, such as Western Union or Money Gram.
Police say victims don’t verify the story until after the money has been sent as the caller specifically asks “Can you please help me? I’m in jail (or in the hospital / or in some type of financial need). But don’t tell Dad. He would kill me if he found out, please sent the money ASAP. I’m scared.”
