January 12, 2026
Data Protection

Tonight’s episode of the TV series Dumas, airing on ICI Télé (Radio-Canada), highlights a troubling reality: the grandparent scam—a type of fraud that remains all too common and, unfortunately, highly effective.

What is the Grandparent Scam?

The grandparent scam is a form of fraud built on emotional distress and a sense of urgency. Typically, the fraudster contacts the victim by phone, pretending to be a family member—such as a grandchild, niece, cousin, friend—or someone acting on their behalf. They claim to be facing a serious situation that requires immediate financial assistance.

The story is carefully crafted to sound believable and trigger an emotional reaction. Common scenarios include:

  • being arrested and needing money for bail;
  • being involved in a car accident;
  • having difficulty returning from a foreign country.

To increase credibility, scammers often claim to be accompanied by an authority figure, such as a police officer, lawyer, or healthcare professional. They request urgent financial help to cover bail, professional fees, or medical expenses, while insisting the situation remain confidential.

In some cases, the scam escalates further: victims may be asked to lie to their family, send money via wire transfer, mail cash, or even hand over money in person to someone sent directly to their home.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

A few simple actions can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to this type of fraud:

  • Be mindful of what you share online. Scammers use information from social media and dating sites to identify targets and build convincing stories.
  • Never share personal or financial information with the caller.
  • Ask personal questions that only a real family member could answer.
  • Agree on a secret word or phrase with your loved ones to verify emergency situations.
  • Be cautious of urgency. Scammers rely on emotional pressure to push victims into acting quickly. Take a moment. Trust your instincts.
  • Do not rely on caller ID. Phone numbers can be spoofed. Hang up and contact your loved one directly using a number you already know.
  • If you cannot reach them, contact another family member or friend to verify the situation.
  • Remember: Canada’s criminal justice system does not allow release in exchange for cash or cryptocurrency payments.
  • Police never request bail payments by wire transfer or cash.
  • Never send money to someone whose identity has not been clearly verified, and never share banking or credit card information without proper validation.

Think You’ve Been Targeted or Victimized?

If you believe you may have been targeted or affected:

  • Contact your local police service or the Sûreté du Québec;
  • Report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
    🌐 reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca/
    📞 1-888-495-8501

 

🎬 To watch the January 12, 2026 episode of Dumas, visit ICI TOU.TV.