DEEMED “grandparent scams,” Abbotsford Police say their analysts have noticed a trend of scammers posing as lawyers targeting seniors between the ages of 72 and 92.  

The suspects, posing as lawyers, contact victims, suggesting their family member had been in an accident and required funds to pay for damages. In other cases, the suspects posed as law enforcement officers, suggesting their family member was being held in jail pending payment for their bail. 

Nine cases of grandparent scams have been reported to Abbotsford Police between February and November. Five of these cases resulted in a total of $24,575 in losses.  

Police say they are informing the public to create awareness of this specific type of scam, especially with the holiday season approaching.   

Beware of suspicious calls in which persons pose as banking officials, lawyers, and law enforcement officers demanding funds with little to no viable background information, they add. 

Abbotsford Police’s Senior Safety Outreach Program offers a wide range of resources to promote the well-being and security of their cherished senior community.  

Police will host another information session on December 15, addressing fraud and scam prevention specifically for seniors.  

All sessions are free and will be held at the Clearbrook Library located at 32320 George Ferguson Way from 2-3 p.m.