The Grandparent scam typically works something like this:
You get a call from someone posing as your grandchild. The scammer explains, in a frantic voice, that he or she is in trouble: Typically, it’s something like …There’s been an accident, or an arrest.
To add to the urgency, the scammer might claim that they are stuck in a foreign country; to make the impersonation more convincing, the scammer will throw in a few family particulars that they found by looking at your or the actual grandchild’s social media account.
The scammer offers just enough detail about where and how the emergency happened to make it seem real and then turns the phone over to another scammer who pretends to be a police officer, doctor, or lawyer who then backs up the story.
The “grandchild” implores the target to wire money immediately, adding the plea: “Don’t tell Mom and Dad!”
Grandparent Scam Warning Signs
- The person claiming to be your grandchild asks you to send money, via prepaid cards or to a particular Western Union office, immediately and provides details on how.
- The call usually come late at night. Scammers figure an older person may get confused more easily if they call and wake you up.
Do’s
- Set your privacy settings on your social media accounts so that only people you know can access your posts and photos. Scammers search Facebook, Instagram and other social networks for family information they can use to fool you.
- Ask questions scammers are unlikely to be able to answer or ask a question you know is false such as the name and species of your grandchild’s pet knowing they have no pet.
- Say you’ll have to call right back, then call your grandchild’s usual phone number. With luck, he or she will answer, and you’ll know that the supposed emergency call is a scam.
- If you speak to someone who claims to be a police officer, ask for the precinct location and call the relevant law enforcement agency to verify the person’s identity and any information they’ve given you.
- Always trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
Dont’s
- Don’t drop your guard because the number on your caller ID looks familiar. Scammers use technology that makes it appear that they’re calling from a trusted number.
- Don’t volunteer any information. Scammers fish for facts they can use to make you believe you’re talking to someone you know. For example, if the caller says, “It’s me, grandpa!” don’t say your grandchild’s name. Wait for the scmmer say it.
- Don’t let a scammer rush you into making a decision.
- Don’t send cash, wire money, or provide any numbers from gift or cash-reload cards.
- Don’t panic, no matter how dire the grandchild’s predicament sounds. Scam artists want to get you upset to distract you from spotting the scam.
You can report any fraud targeting older people to the FTC online or at 877-382-4357. You might also want to notify your state’s attorney general and consumer protection office.
