Scam Alert: Hello, Grandma?

Remember we must always be on guard - far too many people are lying awake at night trying to think of new ways to steal money from us . . . money that they haven't earned. Think twice before you give out any personal information!

Here's the scam according to Dee A. White, CHOICES- SMP Statewide Coordinator, CT Department of Social Services, Aging Services Division:

"An 83 year old Manchester resident reported receiving two separate calls from a person identifying himself as her grandson, and he even had the right first name! Her real grandson goes to school across country. The "grandson" that was calling said that he went to a wedding in a rental care and "got into trouble." He told her the driver was drunk and crashed the car and he and her "grandson" were detained in Ontario, Canada. He informed her that he could only make outgoing calls and that he needed $2,700 cash sent via Western Union to "214 Helen Steen, Lake Street, Madrid to an attorney who attended the wedding with them." Apparently this supposed attorney would then write a check to get him and the friend out. The "grandson" didn't want his parents to be contacted because she was told he wanted to deal with this himself and not upset them.

The woman thought many aspects of this call sounded strange, so she hung up and called 211 to see what she should do. She was then referred to the CHOICES –SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol) program administered by North Central Connecticut Area Agency on Aging.

Luckily, this woman was able to think fast and not give out any personal information or send any money. She has reported this scam to her local police and has also notified the proper authorities.

Please give this ALERT your widest dissemination! 

The SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol) program wants to remind everyone that scams happen right in our own backyard. Don't forget to "Protect. Detect. Report"! Never be afraid to call the police and make a report."

OK, citizens! Spread the word! Social networking is making it easier for people to find out names of grandchildren and grandparents, and know where each is located, which makes it easier for scammers to make you believe them. Always double check, and seriously, if your grandchild tells you they don't want their parents to know something (classic scammer material!) your next call should be to their parents  . . .