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%.
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.
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.
I've tried telling her to no avail not to give out information over the phone but she can't help it and keeps saying things which might not be useful to the scammers in this call but can be used later.
The key is to make the caller give YOU specifics: what's your sister's name, where do you live, what's my maiden name, how old's dad and whatever the real person only would know.
I’ve “shot blanks” for years, so I know I’m the end of the bbloodline.
I talked to a lady several years ago who got one of these calls. Grandson, in jail in Mexico, needed $1200 to get out.
She said it sounded a little like her grandson, but something wasn’t right, and she couldn’t think why her grandson would be in Mexico.
So she finally said, “Well, sweetie, we just don’t have the money to send you, but we’ll pray for you!”
There are several variations on this call. One is a relative in Mexico wanting to come visit but needing money. The lady who got this call doesn’t drive and asked her neighbor to take her to the bank. The neighbor found the request odd and asked questions; she was astute enough to know what was happening and stopped the intended victim from losing any money.
Another is a relative on the way for a visit, involved in an accident and needing money to keep out of jail. One man got this one; the young man called him “Uncle Joe”, his name. Since the man was known to his family by his nickname, he knew this was a fraud (he thought his nephews probably would be hard-pressed to remember his real name!) His nickname was not a “guessable” one.
Frauds and scams are something everyone with older relatives, friends, and neighbors should try to have a conversation about. I hate these scammers with a passion- they prey on the vulnerable.
Who doesn’t recognize their grandkid’s voice?
Hey, kiddo, you messed up. It’s not my responsibility to save your adult butt. Call your daddy.
I got a variant on that call. I got an e-mail from a real friend saying they were robbed in London and needed cash to pay the hotel bill. Only Problem—I had just talked to my friend who was still very much stateside.
I got a call like this; when they said *This is your grandson....*
I thought [albeit, my thinking is a tad slow these daze]
Said to self: *Wait, I don’t have a grandson, I only have grand daughters*.
Thankfully my brain worked in time. I played them along:
*How is your weather?*
*Are you having a nice time*; *How are the beaches?* ...yada.