Timmins police warns fraudsters using AI to mimic voices of their grandchildren
Timmins Police Chief Sydney Lecky told CTV News that the 'grandparent scam' is one that fraudsters are still using to trick elderly people into handing over their money.
Lecky said the Timmins Police Service has recently received reports of this happening in the city and is warning residents that criminals are getting even more creative with this particular scam by using AI.
"Sometimes they'll phone -- and that phone call may sound like a family member. Using artificial intelligence, they can mimic their voices now, so you really have to be careful," said Lecky.
"There's even spoofing of phone numbers so when they dial your number, you'll see a number that appears as a family member's phone number or even the police."
Police encourage the public to protect themselves by following a few simple steps if receiving a call from a so-called grandchild.
-Take time to call a loved one to verify if a grandchild is requesting money or call the police or a lawyer.
-Ask yourself, if a stranger came to your door asking for information, would you provide it? If not, don’t give it to someone over the phone or online.
-Say no if you feel pressured.
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
Romance scams and fake calls from the Canada Revenue Agency are two other rackets. The Timmins Senior Recreation Centre said it’s planning to offer a presentation on the topic of scams next month for its members.
"Well, for one, they don't really know how to use technology. They're not sure what to look out for," said Liz Flemming, coordinator at the Timmins Senior Recreation Centre.
"So if they get a text message and they read it, they're like, that's from my friend. Well, if it doesn't say your friend, you should just swipe it off, block it."
Fleming also suggested members talk to one another about the various scams they may have experienced when they come to socialize at the centre. She said it’s another way to help one another.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates: Hurricane Milton makes landfall in Florida
The 'extremely dangerous Category 3 hurricane' has made landfall near Siesta Key, Fla., according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.
Hundreds of thousands of popular vehicles recalled in Canada over steering issue
Hundreds of thousands of vehicles are being recalled in Canada due to a steering-related issue that could increase a driver's risk of crash.
'We want things to go forward': Bloc leader hints his party 'might' help end House impasse
The leader of the Bloc Quebecois says his party 'might play a role' in helping the Liberals get House of Commons business rolling again — after days of Conservative-led debate on a privilege matter — but that his assistance would come at a cost.
video Why are there cars in the Detroit River?
Dozens of cars were pulled out of the Detroit River in west Windsor on Tuesday, causing many questions for Windsorites.
Washington state woman calls 911 after being hounded by up to 100 raccoons
Sheriff's deputies in Washington's Kitsap County frequently get calls about animals -- loose livestock, problem dogs. But the 911 call they received recently from a woman being hounded by dozens of raccoons swarming her home near Poulsbo stood out.
Pilot dies aboard Turkish Airlines flight, forcing emergency landing in New York
A Turkish Airlines jetliner headed from Seattle to Istanbul made an emergency landing in New York on Wednesday after the captain died on board, an airline official said.
Former CIA director says Israel 'unlikely' to target Iranian nuclear sites as retaliation
Former CIA Director and retired Gen. David Petraeus says it is 'unlikely' Israel will target Iranian nuclear sites in retaliation for last week's ballistic missile attack.
Rare Monet returned to family more than 80 years after it was stolen by Nazis
A Claude Monet pastel painting stolen by Nazis during World War II, which vanished for decades only to show up with a Louisiana art dealer, was returned Wednesday in New Orleans to the descendants of its original owners.
Women say they were kicked off of Spirit Airlines flight for what they were wearing
Two Orange County women are speaking out after they say they were kicked off of a Spirit Airlines flight because of what they were wearing.