Glen Rock Grandmother Nearly Scammed Out Of $1,800

GLEN ROCK, NJ — A borough grandmother was nearly scammed out of $1,800 by a man claiming to be her grandson, police said.

The woman received a call from someone claiming to be her grandson Thursday morning shortly after 10:30 a.m.; the caller told the woman he was his grandson and he was in trouble, said Chief Dean Ackermann.

The man put the woman on the phone with a man claiming to be a lawyer asking for a $1,800 retainer, the chief said. The woman went to the back to withdraw the money, but called her grandson before sending the requested gift cards, he said.

The grandson told the woman he was not in any danger and knew nothing about the call, Ackermann said.

The chief reminds residents to be mindful of getting such calls.

"If you ever get a call from or about a grandchild or any other relative in danger or trouble, and the immediate request is for cash, you need to pause, calm yourself, say you must consult another family member first, and hang up," Ackermann said. "Then check. If the emergency is by any chance real, you can still respond appropriately."

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