Canada Post worker thwarts Granny scam

A Canada Post outlet in Saskatchewan has helped thwart a scam artist trying to bilk an elderly woman of $1,500 in a ruse known as the Granny scam.

The scam is known to police across Canada and has generated several complaints to authorities in Saskatchewan.

The fraud targets the elderly, and a recent example was uncovered by postal workers in Fort Qu'Appelle, Sask., a town of 2,000 about 70 kilometres northeast of Regina.

"They start to tell you a story about receiving a phone call late at night from what they believe is a grandson or granddaughter," Bonnie Bertwistle, a postal worker in the Canada Post office in town, told CBC News on Thursday, relating the mechanics of the scam.

The senior is then told the supposed relative needs cash because they've been in an accident or have somehow ended up in jail.

Bertwistle said a customer was recently in the postal outlet looking to send money to a grandson who said he was in jail. Bertwistle thought the story seemed odd.

"Just by the look on their face, you can tell something is wrong," Bertwistle said. "We were talking to her the whole time and showing our concern and saying, 'Are you sure you want to do this?'

As staff told her how the scam works, the senior, who had already sent $1,500 to a fake grandson, suddenly understood she'd been a target.

"She basically broke down and said, 'Oh, no. This can't be happening to me."

Post office staff have been trained to be alert to such scams, Bertwistle said, and this was the second time they've thwarted fraudsters in recent months. In an earlier case, the customer was able to retrieve $5,000.

In Regina, police say they have heard of three attempts at a similar fraud in which seniors lost $1,800 to $4,100.

"We do want to know about anyone who has been victimized," Elizabeth Popowich, a spokeswoman for police, said. "Because it is important for us to apprehend the suspect."