Grandparent Scam Warning: $5K Stolen From Elders

ROCKVILLE, MD — A new variation of an old scam has stolen $5,000 from at least two Montgomery County residents in the last two weeks, police say. Detectives have received two cases where residents have fallen victim to what is commonly referred to as the “Grandparent Scam” and have given money to a scammer.

In both cases, the scammer posed as the victim’s grandchild who was reportedly in jail in another state and needed money from the grandparent to secure a bond appearance. One of the victims was instructed to wire $5,000 to a bank account. The other victim received a call from the phony “grandchild” and then a second call from a scammer posing as the child’s attorney. The “attorney” instructed the victim to go to Best Buy, purchase $5,000 worth of gift cards, and read the gift cards number to the “attorney” to satisfy payment, say Montgomery County Police.

The “Grandparent Scam” is a version of a fraud during which the suspect tells the victim that a family member or friend is in trouble or needs help. Scammers present a variety of emergency situations in these calls, such as a loved one who is in jail, has been in an accident, has been kidnapped, or has been physically hurt. Whatever scenario the thieves use, the victim is typically told the mishap occurred in another area and that the loved one is unable to talk. To help the family member or friend, the victim is told to send money via wire transfer or other fund transfer such as pre-paid cards, internet transaction, or a gift card purchase, police say.

Police say this is what you should do if you receive a call you believe is a scam:

• Do not provide information over the phone. Scammers often ask leading questions to retrieve information from you. Often, you do not realize that you are giving them valuable information. In both of these recent cases, the scammer began the telephone call with, “Hello Grandma” and “Do you know who this is?”

• Scammers create a sense of urgency; they say they are in distress and need money immediately. Slow down and ask the caller for detailed information and a contact number. Tell the caller you will call them back after you verify information.

• Then, attempt to verify the caller’s story by calling family and/or friends. Scammers will often tell the loved one not to tell anyone because he/she is embarrassed about being in the situation.

• Remember that scammers often use a technique called “spoofing.” Spoofing provides a fake number to a Caller ID display.

• Do not send money. Beware of anyone asking you to wire money or buy gift cards and provide them with the cards’ information.

• Contact police immediately if you believe you are a victim of a telephone scam.

These types of phone scams have been reported in neighboring jurisdictions and around the country.

Image via Shutterstock