AARP Eye Center
You get a frantic call from someone claiming to be your grandson or granddaughter. The caller says there’s an emergency and asks you to send money right away. There’s a good chance this is an imposter trying to steal your money through the “grandparent scam.”
How it works:
Scammers usually claim to be in a “help me” situation, such as being stuck with a broken down car or needing money to get out of a foreign country. The caller may pose as your grandchild, or a law enforcement officer or attorney calling on your grandchild’s behalf -- whatever it takes to sound convincing.
What you should know:
- These scams often happen in the middle of the night, to catch you while you’re not fully awake, making it easier to get you in a high state of emotion and more susceptible. It’s what con artists refer to as getting victims “under the ether.”
- The caller may have personal information such as a family member’s names that they could have picked up on social media sites.
- The caller will likely ask that you send the money by wire transfer – the favorite method of con artists.
What you should do:
- Try to reach the person the caller is claiming to be directly. If you can’t reach him or her, contact a friend or family member to try and validate the emergency.
- Ask some questions that would be hard for an imposter to answer, like a pet’s name or a mother’s birthday.
- Don’t send money unless you’re sure the situation is real.
The grandparent scam can be financially and emotionally devastating. Take it from these grandparents who were victimized. Don’t let it happen to you.
Spotted a scam? Tell us about it. Our scam-tracking map gives you information about the latest scams targeting people in your state. You’ll also find first-hand accounts from scam-spotters who are sharing their experiences so you know how to protect yourself and your family.
Photo courtesy of: iStockphoto.com/alexskopje