Grandparent Scam Making The Rounds In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NJ — Manchester residents are being targeted again by the "grandparent scam," Manchester police say, and they want residents to know the signs to protect themselves.

The Manchester Township Police Department said it has received numerous calls about the scam recently.

It involves someone calling an older person and saying their grandchild has been involved in a serious motor vehicle crash and arrested, and now needs money for bail. The caller will then tell the victim how much money is needed to post bail for the grandchild and will coordinate a transfer of the money, either in person, through a postal service, or through a wire transfer.

"Unfortunately, we have had cases where the victims completed the transaction and did not realize it was a scam until afterward," police said. "In other cases, we have prevented the transaction/meet-up from ever occurring due to our involvement or have arrested the courier."

"If you get a call from someone claiming to be a law enforcement officer, an attorney, or other persons demanding money and/or gift cards and threatening arrest, it’s a SCAM," police said.

"Never agree to meet up, complete any transaction, or provide any personal information without first verifying that your relative is truly in need of assistance," police said.

"The best way to do this is to HANG UP THE PHONE and contact the relative and/or their families and friends," Manchester police said.

You can also contact the police department where they live to conduct a welfare check on the person who is supposedly in trouble.

"Please tell your loved ones about this scam so they do not become the next victim," Manchester police said.

"At NO TIME will any members of the Manchester Township Police Department or any other agency contact you requesting money and/or gift cards," the department said.

Anyone who believes they have been the victim of a scam is asked to call Manchester police at 732-657-6111 or go to police headquarters to file a report.

Here are some tips to stay safe from scammers:

• DO NOT SEND MONEY to an unknown source, no matter how promising the supposed potential reward. Be cautious when meeting new people through online social networks and websites.
• NEVER GIVE OUT PERSONAL INFORMATION, including bank account, credit card or Social Security numbers to any institution unless you have initiated the phone call to them and you are certain you are speaking with an authorized representative.
• CALLERS CLAIMING YOUR PERSONAL COMPUTER HAS A VIRUS and requesting remote access to your desktop — often asking for payment upward of $100 for the service — are frauds.
• IF SOMEONE THREATENS IMMEDIATE ACTION — arrest, freezing accounts or shutting off your utilities — unless you make immediate payment, hang up and call the agency in question. Scammers use threats of immediate punishment to scare people into paying money.

The "Grandparent Scam" is just one of many that target people to separate them from their money, Manchester police said. Information on others can be found on the police website.