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Grandparent scam artists thwarted Astute Money Mart employee saves couple from becoming a victim of popular fraud operation Daniel Palmer
and tracked 11,700 victims of fraud in 2013, the most recent statistics available. Those numbers have held relaBetty Clarke was going about an oth- tively steady since 2011, but grandparerwise normal day in her home when ent or “emergency” scams are now listed the phone rang. The man on the other as the third-most frequent scam behind false prizes and offers for lower end of the line claimed to her interest rates. grandson, Dalyn, who said he’d Reported scams have just been in a serious car accibecome so common in Victoria dent in Quebec. and Esquimalt that the Victoria “He said there was quite Police Department began offersevere damage that was going ing fraud prevention talks. to cost just under $2,000, and “Free of charge, VicPD reserve this had to be deposited to an members are available to come account right away,” said Bob, in to your residence, condo Betty’s husband. Bob Clarke complex, townhouse or facility The retired couple panicked. They stopped at their credit union then to walk you through what you need to headed to a local Money Mart to wire know to help keep yourself and your loved ones from falling victim to fraud,” the cash as instructed. It was there an astute employee told said Const. Mike Russell. Bob said he hopes his story will help the couple they were about to become the next victims of an increasingly pop- shed light on grandparent scams. He’s ular fraud operation: the grandparent also been back to Money Mart to thank the Good Samaritan employee. scam. “The scammers play on the panic “Apparently a lot of phone calls like this come from Quebec, so when Betty mode and your dedication to your told them she was sending the money to grandchildren and scare the hell out of Quebec, the clerk said, ‘Wait a minute.’” you,” Bob said. “The more we can get The Clarkes then headed to the police this information out there, the better.” March is fraud prevention month. station, where officers told them the problem is proliferating across Greater Visit vicpd.ca/fraud or call VicPD Const. Sean Millard at 250-995-7654 to book a Victoria and much of Canada. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre fraud prevention talk. dpalmer@vicnews.com received more than 43,000 complaints
News staff
Protest aimed at elections Tom Hackney, an organizer with LeadNow.ca, shows the petition against Bill C-23, the federal Fair Elections Act, at a noon-hour protest outside the office of MP Murray Rankin on Fort Street on Tuesday. The group presented a petition with 82,829 signatures representing Canadians who oppose the electoral changes. Similar Day of Action events took place in Vancouver, Port Moody, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Halifax and in smaller cities. For more on the story, please turn to page A6. Don Denton/News staff
There’s strength in numbers. Bring a friend to Esquimalt Recreation. Special Offer!
2 for 1 Drop-in Admissions or FREE admission for a friend accompanying a pass holder to selected drop in programs March 31-April 10. www.esquimalt.ca/promo for details.