Posted on 12/30/2018 10:23:19 AM PST by P.O.E.
This is how the grandparent scam typically plays out: You get a call from someone pretending to be your grandchild. The person explains that he is in trouble, with a story that goes something like this: “There’s been an accident and I’m______ (in jail, in the hospital, stuck in a foreign country), and I need your help.” The caller adds enough details about how, what or where the emergency happened to make the story seem plausible. And the distraught caller, you think to yourself, does sort of sound like your grandson or granddaughter.
Often the caller tells you that a third person, such as a lawyer, doctor or police officer, will “explain everything to you” if you call him or her. “This makes it seem more real when you call and talk to the authority,” says attorney Kati Daffan, assistant director of the division of marketing practices at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Then the caller asks you to send or wire money immediately, with the kicker, “Please, don’t tell Mom and Dad!
(Excerpt) Read more at aarp.org ...
My folks got a call like this the other day. Luckily they were aware of this scam and were not victimized by it.
From the article:
How to handle this if it happens to you First, hit the pause button on your natural inclination to panic. “What people need to do is slow down” and think of what they need to do to determine if the situation is for real, Daffan explains. “Verify the person’s identity by asking questions someone else couldn’t possibly answer,” such as the name and species of your grandchild’s first pet. Also, get off the phone and check with a family member or the person who supposedly called you. Your grandchild may just answer her phone from the privacy of home or a dorm.
Got that ‘call’ years go.
Didn’t work for them.
I have NO KIDS.
This happened to my Dad, on his landline. But it was kind of weird. He got the call and got MAD and told the guy pretending to be his grandson to call him back in an hour! He then called my sister and wanted to know why her son was in Mexico and not at work! She said, “Dad, he just left for work, he’s not in Mexico.” Clearing that up, he and his wife left to do some shopping, had lunch and were gone about 3 hours. When they returned home, not 15 min later, the phone rang with the phony grandson. My Dad proceeded to rip this guy a new one, then softened a bit and said he’d pray for this kid. I guess it’s possible the scammer tried to call him every 15 min until he answered, but we think it was really weird the scammer called my dad as soon as he walked in the door. My Dad’s 90, still a Marine (lol) and can lay his hands on a weapon rather quickly and use one. I think it important to inform your elderly parents of this scam.
“ore, ore sagi”
There aren’t a lot of scams in Japan, but this one DOES originate in Japan.
It was really popular about 25 years ago.
Happened to my son’s grandmother and she did fall for it. I am still so angry. At the thieves and at the store that sees a grandmother buying $1000 worth of itunes cards. I know it is not their responsibility but, seriously.
No, just hang up!
How does one “mistake” his/her own grandchild? God knows I never would...and my hearing isn’t 100%.
Dad GET ME OUT OF THIS
That’s what helped tip off my folks. Didn’t sound like my son. That being said, they had quite a bit of specific info - probably gleaned off the web.
Heck, even the online white pages will give you family members info for free. Doesn’t take much to guess from the ages who’s who.
I have been targeted twice already with this scam. It was very simple to avoid. When they say “Hi Grandma”, just ask “who is this?”. If they can’t give your grandchild’s name then hang up. Or you can have some fun with them and ask if it is some fake name such as Otis or Abner until they hang up on you.
Happened to my mother-in-law years ago, but the caller said “grandma” and that’s not the term her grandkids use for her, so she knew something was up. Her poor hearing prevented her from recognizing that the voice sounded different.
No money was sent.
An innocent bystander
Somehow I got stuck between a rock and a hard place
It happened to my parents. They didn’t fall for it, though. My mother answered, and the man on the other side asked, “Grandma, do you know who this is?” She said the name of her grandson. Then the man asked to speak with “Grandpa”. When my father got on the phone, the man identified himself with the name of his grandson.
Happened to my folks earlier this year (they’re in their 80s), someone claiming to be my brother’s troubled stepson. Mom responded “You’re in trouble? Call your Dad and leave us alone!” LOL
Not a chance in hell they would know that.
My parents got the same call allegedly from me.
My father has too many law enforcement connections, including federal. He called in for a trace while my mother kept them on the line.
Some scammers tried that on my mother several years ago re: one of my kids. However, my mom was a smart cookie, and knew there was no-way my son would be where the scammers claimed he was (Mexico). She led them on for a few minutes then told them where to get off. Then she called me and we had a good laugh about it.
I love the “Don’t tell my parents”. Like the GParents are some type of way around the parents. The FIRST thing I would do is call the parents because I would want to be called if I was the parent.
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