The Chatham-Kent Police Service is warning residents in Chatham, Ontario, about a recent increase in “grandparent” and emergency-style phone scams that are targeting older adults. These scams involve callers pretending to be a family member or an official in distress to trick people into sending money for fabricated emergencies.
Police say the spike in reports occurred in late January into early February 2026, after a cluster of complaints over a short period. In the scam calls, the person often claims to be a grandchild, a lawyer or a police officer and says a relative is in jail or the hospital and needs immediate cash for bail or medical bills.
Local investigators say scammers have grown more aggressive, sometimes arranging for in-person “couriers” to pick up cash at victims’ homes. The Chatham-Kent Police Service media release also warns that some callers ask for payment by cryptocurrency or gift cards and may tell victims there is a legal “gag order” preventing them from calling other family members to verify the story.
This local warning comes amid a broader national problem. Data from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre shows Canadians lost more than $647 million to scams in 2024, and authorities say many cases go unreported because victims are embarrassed.
Police advise hanging up immediately on suspicious calls. They recommend calling the family member back using a known number to confirm their safety before sending money or giving out a home address. The CKPS media release also reminds residents that police will never request money, bail payments, gift cards, cryptocurrency or wire transfers over the phone.
