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What sounds like a family member in distress could be a scam.

Just hang up!

Think you’ve been targeted or scammed?
Don’t wait – report it right away.

Remember: falling for a scam doesn’t mean you’re at fault – it means a crime has been committed against you. Reporting helps protect others.

JustHangUp!

Millions of dollars are lost annually to scams in Canada, and many incidents go unreported due to confusion or embarrassment. Learn how to spot and stop these scams. Just hang up; it’s not rude or unsafe – it’s the safest response.

Hang up. Verify. Protect.

When in doubt,  just hang up.

Scammers create panic to keep you on the line. Ending the call stops the pressure – and  the scam.

Verify before you pay.

A quick call to a trusted family member can save you thousands. No rush is worth  the risk.

Police will never ask for bail money.

No police service will request cash, gift cards, or couriers to collect money. If they do –  it’s a scam.

Fraudsters prey  on trust.

They use emotion, secrecy, and fear to manipulate you or someone you love. Protect your circle – talk about scams.

Every hang-up shuts down a scam.

Fraudsters move fast –  so shutting them down fast protects more people than  you know.

AI makes impersonation easy.

Voices and identities can be faked. Take a moment to pause and verify before acting.

Learn more about different types of scams

Romance Scams

Obituary Scams

Lottery Scams

Cryptocurrency
Scams

Investment Scams

Collection Agency
Scams

LEARN MORE

The “lawyer” even provided me with a fake case number, which made the scam feel legitimate at the time.

Marianne

Eventually, I told them if I couldn’t talk to my grandson, I’d phone the police department to get more details. They hung up immediately.

Ernest

Real Stories

Marianne’s Story

Marianne, 61, Winnipeg MB

In July, I was at home tidying up in the kitchen when I received a phone call from what sounded like my grandson. He claimed to have been in a car accident and hit a pregnant woman while texting. He begged me not to tell his parents, because he was…

Ernest’s Story

Ernest, 72, Winnipeg, MB

Last summer I received a phone call from a man who claimed to be my grandson’s lawyer. He said my grandson had been arrested, and needed $9,000 for bail, and that he would pick the money up from my home within the hour. The premise sounded very strange to me;…

Schedule a Presentation

The Winnipeg Police Service Community Relations Division and A&O: Support Services for Older Adults are both able to deliver the Just Hang Up! Community Presentation. The presentation is approximately 1-1.5 hours and is free of charge.

Request a Presentation

Submit a request online to the Winnipeg Police Service
For a presentation by A&O, contact them directly by phone or email
- 204-956-6440
- info@aosupportservices.ca

Q & A

These scams are constantly evolving, and becoming more and more sophisticated, even using AI. Police have warned about several types of scams over the years and now are hoping to educate the public through simple, memorable actions: Hang up. Verify. Report.

Across Canada, “emergency” scams have led to more than $2.9 million in reported losses — and experts estimate that only 5–10% of cases ever come to light. Of this number, Manitobans alone accounted for more than $350K.

Older adults are targeted because many have life savings, home equity, and, often, have experienced a major life transition or loss. Scammers look to take advantage of the trusting nature of older adults to exploit them.

Being targeted does not mean being vulnerable or incapable. These scams are sophisticated and emotional, and are designed to work on caring people.

Just hang up. Verify with family. Make a report. No real emergency requires secrecy or instant payment.

If you’ve been a victim and lost money, report it to police. If you suspect you’ve received a fraudulent call, report it online – even if you did not lose money.

These scams are sophisticated, emotional, rapidly changing and designed to work on caring people. They use urgency to block logical thinking, and exploit feelings of love and fear.

Remember: you are allowed to end the call. No real emergency requires secrecy or instant payment.

The Winnipeg Police Service has partnered with A&O: Support Services for Older Adults to create a public awareness campaign, supported by community presentations. These are opportunities for us to connect directly with members of our community for open, two-way dialogue.

Educate the older adults in your lives on what to do if they receive a suspicious phone call. If someone you know is scammed, respond with empathy. Avoid blame or shame and help them make a report immediately. Speak openly about your experiences to help educate others.

Many victims report feeling embarrassed that they lost money to a scam, and reasons vary. There’s often a sense of feeling gullible or incapable. In reality, these scams are incredibly sophisticated, and prey on caring people. By speaking openly about these experiences, you can be a part of helping others speak up about their own experiences too.

When in doubt: Hang up. Verify with family. Make a report.

No real emergency requires secrecy or instant payment. Hanging up isn’t rude or unsafe. It may be the safest option.