The Lethbridge Police Service is advising the public of a grandparent scam. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

LPS issues warning of ‘grandparent scam’ after fraud attempt reported

Sep 15, 2025 | 8:54 AM

The Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) is advising the public of a scam that is circulating in the community.

Last week, they say an elderly woman received a phone call from a scammer who claimed to be her son.

The man reportedly said that he needed immediate assistance as he was in an accident and broke his nose, claiming that his voice sounded different because of the injury.

The scammer swore the woman to secrecy, instructed her to withdraw $8,500 in cash, and return home, where someone would pick the money up.

A family member intervened and brought her to the police station to report the scam before any money was lost.

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This is an example of what LPS says is a grandparent scam, or an emergency scam.

They typically involve a fraudster pretending to be a relative, claiming that they are in some kind of trouble and need money immediately. The caller may also pretend to be a police officer or a lawyer who is phoning on behalf of a relative.

The scammer will ask for money and may want to send an associate, who is often posing as a police officer, bail bondsman or some other kind of official, to collect the money. They may also seek payment in the form of gift cards, bitcoin, e-transfer or wire transfer.

“Anyone who receives an unsolicited call or any other form of contact from someone claiming to be their grandchild, another relative or someone acting on the family member’s behalf, is advised to disconnect the call,” LPS advises. “Be especially wary if the individual is asking for the transaction to be kept secret. Do not provide any personal information and do not provide any cash or other forms of payment.”

Other fraud-related tips LPS provided include:

• Always verify a caller’s identity and the legitimacy of their story. Call the grandchild directly and if they can’t be reached, contact their parents, siblings or another relative who can help verify the story
• If a caller claims to be a police officer, lawyer, judge or other official call the police station or courthouse directly to confirm their identity and the legitimacy of the call.
• Bail is always paid in person at the police station, courthouse or correctional centre and receipt of payment is provided. Police and court officials will never attend someone’s home to pick-up cash
• Do not use any phone numbers or other contact details provided by the caller to try and verify information
• Do not provide money, gift cards, bitcoin or any other form of payment to someone you do not know
• Never disclose any personal information over the phone to someone you don’t know

Anyone who has been victimized in a grandparent scam and has not yet reported it is asked to call the Lethbridge Police Service at 403-328-4444.