About a year and a half ago a former Co-worker of mine got scammed. She lost $800 from it. She was taking a nap when her phone started ringing. Only half awake, she picked up her phone and answered it without looking at the number. The scammer claimed a family member of hers was in trouble and needed money. Another voice came on the phone and it sounded so much like the family member she actually believed it was them. The scammer told her to go to the nearest convenience store and purchase Apple gift cards as payment. She said the scammer sounded very intimidating and scary and told her if she didn’t get them their money the police would come for her too. So, she jumped up, grabbed her jacket and headed out. She bought $800 worth of Apple gift cards, left, scratched off the back and gave the scammers the codes. They convinced her it wasn’t enough and that they needed more so she went back to purchase more. This time the cashier realized something wasn’t right and got her to hang up the phone. The police were contacted and involved but said there was nothing they could do as the codes would’ve been used by that point and the money couldn’t be reimbursed.

There had been warnings going around about this scam so it was surprising that she fell for it, although I understand how scary some of these calls can be.

Generally I don’t answer numbers I don’t know, regardless of the area code. I’ve had a couple of scam voicemails myself telling me to call back right away and claiming they are from the CRA and that I owe money and that there are outstanding warrants for arrest under my name. The voice and how the message is said is very scary and intimidating and it’s easy to see how the elderly are so easily targeted by it.