Crime & Safety
Nutley Store Owner Saves Senior From Getting Scammed, Police Say
A Nutley woman almost wired $2,000 to a scammer after getting a call from a girl who said: "Grandma, I need help and please don't tell mom."
NUTLEY, NJ — A Nutley woman was almost swindled out of $2,000, but a local convenience store owner put a stop to the scam in the nick of time, police said.
According to the Nutley Police Department, a 90-year-old resident got a call from a girl claiming to be her granddaughter on April 29. The girl told the woman: “Grandma, I need help and please don’t tell mom.”
Here’s what happened next, police said:
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“The caller was quickly replaced by a man pretending to be from Sayreville, saying her granddaughter had been arrested and that she needed to send money immediately. The distraught woman withdrew $2,000 and was about to wire the funds as directed at a local convenience store, when the clerk advised her not to do so. He then notified police who assured the woman her granddaughter was not arrested and this was a fraud. Police then transported the woman back to the bank so that she could redeposit the money. She was extremely shaken by the call and almost out $2,000, had it not been for the vigilant store owner.”
Police Chief Thomas Strumolo said this type of scam is “happening more often that we like.” He said police are desperately trying to get the message out not to send money or engage in conversations with strangers by phone or e-mail.
“We encourage everyone to speak with his or her senior relatives and explain what is taking place,” Strumolo said.
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Police Director Alphonse Petracco commended the quick-thinking business owner. He added that the store owner’s awareness and willingness to look out for a neighbor is exactly what the town needs.
- See related article: Nutley Police Help Clifton Woman Avoid $40,000 Phone Scam
- See related article: Nutley Grandma Scammed By People Posing As Her Granddaughter
- See related article: Nutley Police: 5 Ongoing Frauds, Scams To Be Aware Of
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