Beware the "Grandparent Scam"

Police are warning the public to be vigilant against the “Grandparent Scam,” also called the “Emergency Scam.” This scam has been around for years but seems to have become more popular in the past year or so.

The typical scenario for this fraud is a grandparent receives a phone call from a con-artist claiming to be one of his or her grandchildren. The caller says they are in some kind of trouble – usually a car accident, trying to return from a foreign country, or they need funds to pay bail – and need money immediately. The caller specifically asks the victim to not contact other relatives because the caller doesn't want to “get in trouble” with other family members. Wanting to help their grandchild, the victim sends money electronically, usually through a form of money transfer.

Variations on the scam exist where the con-artist claims to be an old neighbor or friend of the family, etc.

Suggestions:

First of all, make sure you know who you are talking to. Ask the caller a question or two that only he or she would know. (What Little League team did you play for when you were eight years old? What is your sister's middle name?)

Never send money by Western Union to someone you do not know. In the grandparent scam, the caller will claim that you must send money to a lawyer or a bail bondsman or some other third-party. Don't do it! Even the Western Union web site at http://www.westernunion.com/info/fraudIndex.asp?country=global states, "If you need to send money to someone you don’t know well, you may be putting yourself at risk for fraud."

Finally, when in doubt, call your local police department and ask for advice. They are well aware of the current scams and can offer great advice.

Comments

[Jim Agnew]

My mother fell for this scam recently. She was contacted by "a new member of her church" who claimed he needed money to fix his car in Florida (she is in western NY) while attending a parent's funeral. He took her for $200.

[Bill Buchanan]

Previous warnings of this scam have said that the scam artist poses as a police officer or EMS personnel, rather than posing as the grandchild. The grandparent might recognize the grandchild's voice but any stranger might or might not be who they claiim to be.

[Barb]

My mother-in-law received one of these calls from her "grandson" who was in jail in Quebec and needed a little over $5,000 to be wired. Since her son (the father) lived with her, she waited for him to get home from work and he spent the rest of the day accumulating the $5000. When he called back for further instructions, the scam was discovered. Attempts to contact the grandson failed because his cell phone was off due to working. When the grandson finally called "home" it was confirmed that he was still in Alaska and never had been in Canada.
Thank goodness the money was never sent.