DA's Office Warns: Don't Fall for the Grandparents Scam

Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert is warning local senior citizens to be wary of the “Grandparent Scam.”

Targeting elders, scammers contact victims by phone and warn them their grandchild is in danger. They claim they need money to help get their loved one out of trouble and returned home safely. Once a payment is made, scammers often come back several times demanding more money.

The thieves often instruct victims to pay using Western Union or a Green Dot MoneyPak prepaid card.

These are things scam artists do:

• Someone calls or emails saying a relative is in trouble (injured or arrested or in jail)
• The person may even claim to be your relative
• They may have people calling claiming to be the police, fire safety, a lawyer or bail bondsman
• They need money immediately for bail, hospital care, life flight helicopter or a lawyer
• They need you to send the money now
• You are asked to go to Western Union, purchase a Green Dot MoneyPak prepaid card or give your credit card number over the phone
• They may tell you not to try and call other relatives

What to do if you receive a call from the scammers:

• Ask for a phone number to return their call and write the number down
• Hang up the phone and immediately call a trusted family member to see if they have any knowledge of the described trouble
• Call Sacramento County Adult Protective Services at (916) 874-9377
• DO NOT GIVE OUT ANY PERSONAL OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Click here to sign up for a FREE Senior Scam Stopper seminar being held on April 1, 2015!