‘Grandma, I Need Help’ Phone Scammers Bilked Residents Out of Thousands of Dollars, Police Say

PLEASANTON, CA — Several residents have recently reported losing thousands of dollars in a scam targeting the elderly, Pleasanton police officials said. In what investigators have dubbed the "Grandma, I Need Help" scam by investigators, the scammers call elderly residents claiming to be the victim’s grandchild.

“The 'grandchild' tells the victim that they have been arrested by a local law enforcement agency and need money to bail out of jail,” police said via social media. “This is the first time we have heard this scam including local law enforcement (in the past, the suspect says they are out of country).”

Police say multiple victims have lost thousands of dollars to the scam.

“Please do not fall victim to this ruse, and please educate loved ones about this scam,” police said. “If you fear that your grandchild has lost their way, please reach out to their parents or call the law enforcement agency (with a contact number YOU find) to confirm the welfare of your grandchild.”

Related:

• Suspect Impersonates Police: Officials Warn Danville Residents of Latest Scam

Photo via Shutterstock