Senior caught by phone scam

Summerside Police are issuing new warnings to seniors about telephone scam artists after a P.E.I. man was bilked out of what was described as a substantial amount of money.

Det.-Sgt. Joe Peters told CBC News Monday that the fraud was not an isolated incident.

"It's certainly become more common," said Peters.

The latest scam happened last week. Peters said fraudsters based in Jamaica convinced an 84-year-old Summerside man he had won $38 million and a luxury car.

Peters said the fraudsters can use different strategies as they work their target, perhaps trying to befriend them on the telephone, or making themselves sound like a person in authority.

In this case, they convinced the man to send to them cash through a wire transfer in order to collect his winnings, but the prize never materialized.

The scam artists are a regular topic of discussion amongst seniors in Summerside. Retired dentist John Robertson said he's been targetted by telephone scams a couple times a week.

"Some people that are maybe a little older than we are, maybe younger with dementia, and they do get taken in by these schemes and those are the ones that bother me," said Robertson.

Joyce McArdle of the P.E.I. Seniors Safety Program has been organizing workshops to raise seniors' awareness of scams.

"These people have no conscience; they're relentless; they're professional liars. That's their job," said McArdle.

"They will take you for everything they can take."

McArdle said the Senior Safety Seminars are increasing in popularity. Joyce Green attended one of the seminars.

"I did go to a session where a gentleman from Summerside got scammed," said Green.

"I learned a lot from that gentleman and it teaches me to be more careful every day."

The seminars cover the latest frauds and scams as well as financial abuse and internet safety.

"[We tell them] to beware to be aware, because if it sounds too good to be true it is," said McArdle.

"All you can do is warn people."

McArdle said families can also help protect their senior loved ones, asking during visits who they've been talking to recently and if they've been getting any phone calls.

The next seniors safety seminar takes place in Belfast Feb. 8. Seminars are also being planned for Cornwall and Kensington.