On February 24, 2026, the Manitoba government and the Winnipeg Police Service launched a province-wide campaign to protect older adults from phone and online scams, which includes specialized outreach for residents in Garden Hill and the Island Lake region. Justice Minister Matt Wiebe announced the initiative, designed to help seniors across Manitoba recognize and report fraudulent calls before they lose money.
The program, called Just Hang Up, focuses on common tactics like grandparent scams where callers pretend to be a relative in trouble. Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to mimic the voices of family members to make their stories sound more believable. Residents can visit JustHangUp.ca to learn how to spot these tricks.
This project is funded by $134,000 from the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund, which uses money seized from criminal activity to improve community safety. The campaign will reach people through radio and television advertisements, billboard ads, and in-person presentations. Organizers expect to reach more than 700 people through these sessions over the next six months.
In Garden Hill and the Island Lake region, the Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS) is supporting the campaign’s local implementation. Police advise anyone who receives a suspicious call to follow four simple steps: pause, hang up, verify the story, and then report the incident. Residents can report suspected scams to their local MFNPS detachment or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
A group called A & O: Support Services for Older Adults is also partnering on the project to provide safety information directly to seniors. By talking openly about these scams, officials hope to reduce the shame some victims feel and make it easier for people to come forward for help.
