The Grandparent Scam has been around for some time, but now con artists are putting a new twist on this old scam.
Here is how the scam works:
| They will contact you typically by phone, email, text message, and/or social media, claiming they are your grandchild or calling on behalf of your grandchild. |
| After some small talk, they will explain that your grandchild fell ill and was rushing to the hospital when he wrecked his car and is now in jail. |
| They will ask you to send money right away – often through a money transfer or by gift cards and sharing the activation information on the back of the cards. The calls often come late at night when you are tried or less clear-headed. The scammer offers just enough detail to make the story sound convincing; they may even hand the phone to another person who may claim they are a doctor, police officer, or lawyer. Here is what you should do: Ask the caller questions only your grandchild could answer, such as the name of your grandchild’s first pet or where he/she went to elementary school. Do not mention your grandchild’s name because the scammer will use it to his advantage. Hang up and call your grandchild’s phone number or call other family members to see if they can verify the story. If the scammer calls again, do not answer the phone. Check your privacy settings on social media to make sure only friends and family can see your posts and photos; otherwise, the information they can find about you can be used to deceive you in scams just like this. Ask your family members who use social media not to give information about you, where you live, travel plans, and other personal information. Stay informed and stay safe! |