Fake bail bondsman arrives at Halifax-area home as part of scheme targeting seniors
Police in the Halifax area are trying to identify a fake bail bondsman who is allegedly part of a plot to steal money from seniors.
As part of the scheme, people are called by a fraudster pretending to be a relative who says they’ve been arrested and need bail money.
According to the RCMP, the call is normally then taken over by a person pretending to be a lawyer or police officer, who tells the person to give the money.
A fake bail bondsman is then sent to the person’s home to collect the cash.
Over the last few days, police say several people have been swindled out of between $5,000 to $10,000.
The force is releasing images of the “bail bondsman” and the car he drove, which might be a 2019 Toyota Corolla.
The vehicle RCMP says was used as part of the scheme. (Source: RCMP)
Police say authorities in Canada don’t solicit the release of someone for money and don’t go door-to-door looking for cash.
They say the following tips should be kept in mind to avoid being scammed:
- Fraudsters create a sense of urgency – slow things down reach out to other relatives and review the situation together, contact authorities if need be.
- If you still believe the caller then contact the authority represented through their legitimate contact source eg. website or phonebook that you have located and not provided to you by the contactor.
- Attempt to contact the family member in question.
- Do not send money, gift cards, Bitcoin or anything else of value in "urgent situations".
- Don't drop your guard because the number on your caller ID looks familiar or legitimate. Scammers can spoof telephone numbers and make it appear they are calling from a trusted source.
- If you have a feeling that something is not right, it is best to trust your gut and stop communicating with that person. If in doubt, hang up or delete and do not continue communication.
The RCMP says anyone who thinks they could be a victim, knows someone who could be a victim, or has information on these incidents, is asked to contact police at 902-490-5020. The scams can also be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.