Police are warning to take caution against scammers. The “grandparent scam” is back and this time the scammers are claiming to be police officers.

Sarnia Police recently received a dozen calls reporting this type of scam.

Emergency scams, such as the grandparent scam, uses urgency and manipulation of emotions to extort money from victims. Fraudsters claim to be a grandchild, family member, law enforcement officer or lawyer and will tell a victim that a loved one was involved in some kind of emergency situation. They will demand that the victim send payment immediately for bail, legal fees or fines to stop the family member from going to jail or to get them released from custody. They may send someone to the victim’s house to pick up the money, have the victim send the money by courier or pay with cryptocurrency.

This is a scam. Police would never conduct business this way. The fraudsters play on emotions, exploit our fears and defraud victims of millions of dollars each year.

Sarnia Lambton Crime Stoppers encourages everyone to educate themselves and seniors they are close to about the grandparent scam.

If you receive a call of this nature hang up and never give out personal information.

Frauds can be reported to local police as well as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online at https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/report-signalez-eng.htm.

If you know someone committing this type of crime and wish to remain anonymous you can contact Sarnia Lambton Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.p3tips.com.