Scam alert: Classic scam targeting grandparents resurfaces
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is warning of an increase in fraud schemes that target the vulnerable grandparents’ population. In New Jersey alone, fraudsters have preyed on dozens of grandparents throughout the State since January – causing victims to lose more than a million dollars.
While it’s commonly called the grandparent scam, criminals may also claim to be a family friend, a niece or nephew, or another family member.
“We want to warn as many people as possible so that they might thwart the nefarious efforts of these schemers,” said Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie. “Awareness is a victim’s best defense. Don’t allow criminals to separate you from your hard-earned savings. Call, verify, report.”
The scam typically works like this: you receive a call from someone claiming to be a bail bondsman, a lawyer, or a member of law enforcement. That person tells you that your grandchild or other loved one is in trouble and in need of money. You are directed to withdraw a large amount of cash and told that a courier will pick up the money from you at your home.
“This version of the scheme is slightly more personal and more dangerous,” Ehrie said. “Any time a criminal comes to your home, you are extremely vulnerable.”
Although this current report is coming from the FBI’s Newark Field Office, this scam targeting grandparents is one that has been occurring nationwide and has been around for years – dating back to at least 2008. But the scam and scam artists have become more sophisticated. Thanks to the Internet and social networking sites, a criminal can sometimes uncover personal information about their targets, which makes the impersonations more believable.
For example, the actual grandson may mention on his social networking site that he’s a photographer who often travels to Mexico. When contacting the grandparents, the phony grandson will say he’s calling from Mexico, where someone stole his camera equipment and passport.
Common scenarios include:
- A grandparent receives a phone call (or sometimes an e-mail) from a “grandchild.” If it is a phone call, it’s often late at night or early in the morning when most people aren’t thinking that clearly. Usually, the person claims to be traveling in a foreign country and has gotten into a bad situation, like being arrested for drugs, getting in a car accident, or being mugged…and needs money wired ASAP. And the caller doesn’t want his or her parents told.
- Sometimes, instead of the “grandchild” making the phone call, the criminal pretends to be an arresting police officer, a lawyer, a doctor at a hospital, or some other person. The FBI has also received complaints about the phony grandchild talking first and then handing the phone over to an accomplice…to further spin the fake tale.
- Officials also report seeing military families victimized: after perusing a soldier’s social networking site, a con artist will contact the soldier’s grandparents, sometimes claiming that a problem came up during military leave that requires money to address.
- While it’s commonly called the grandparent scam, criminals may also claim to be a family friend, a niece or nephew, or another family member.
If you receive this type of call, remain calm and resist the pressure to act quickly. Get as much information as possible, including the phone number, if possible, of the caller. Hang up and call a family member to verify the information or call a trusted friend to ask for help.
Report the call to your local police department or the FBI. If you are still convinced you need to withdraw the money, talk to the manager at your bank and ask for guidance. Never wire money, especially overseas, based on a request made over the phone or in an email. Once you send it, you can’t get it back.
If you’ve been targeted in any sort of scam, file a complaint at IC3.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
(Source: FBI Newark)
Posted by: Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter
