Quincy Cab Driver Saves Elderly Woman From Scam

QUINCY, MA — A Quincy cab driver might have saved an elderly woman from losing tens of thousands of dollars in a telephone scam.

On Wednesday afternoon, Richard Spencer was working his shift for Yellow Cab when he picked up an 87-year-old woman. After just a few minutes of conversation, Spencer realized that something was wrong.

The woman told Spencer she needed to go to Walmart to buy more more gift cards for her grandson, who was in some sort of trouble. Spencer said another cab driver had told him he had already taken the woman to Walmart earlier in the day and that she had bought two gift cards, each worth $2,000. Spencer told the woman he thought she was being scammed and took her to the Quincy Police Station.

According to police, the victim said a man called her and said she was her grandson. The caller told the woman he was in a car accident and needed her to send gift cards so he could avoid going to jail, police said.

"This, ladies and gentlemen, is a text-book grandparent scam," police said in a statement. "While the victim in this scam may be out $4,000, which is a substantial amount of money, it could have been much, much worse."

Quincy Police asked retail workers who sell gift cards to watch out for gift card purchases for large amounts.

"Ask questions," police said. "Sure, there may be a legitimate reason, but if you take the time and ask the questions, you just might prevent someone from falling victim."

Image via Shutterstock