A Scam Based on Relative-ity: Would-Be Grandchildren Bilking Honest Grandparents
“Grandma! Hi, how are you?”
“Hi, Billy. How are you?”
“Actually, I’m in some trouble, and don’t want Mom and Dad to know…”

Seems like an ordinary phone call from your grandchild, right? It may be — at least until the caller claims that he needs cash to fix a car, get out of jail, or leave a foreign country. He begs you to wire money right away and to keep the request confidential. If you think that sounds like a red flag, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, says you’re right.

Victims of this scam often don’t realize they’ve made a mistake until days later, when they speak to their grandchild and he knows nothing about the phone call. By then, the money the grandparent wired is not only long gone, but also irretrievable. Scammers usually pressure people to wire money through commercial money transfer companies like Western Union and Money Gram because wiring money is the same as sending cash. The chances of recovery are slim to none.

The FTC says the number of complaints about this type of scam is on the rise. In some cases, the scammers know the names of family members and manage a deft impersonation. In others, they trick a grandparent into giving up a grandchild’s name. The callers often claim to be in Canada and ask that the money be wired there. Sometimes, a third person gets in the act, pretending to be a police officer or bondsman to confirm the bogus story.

Regardless of the particulars, a grandparent’s love and concern often can outweigh their usual skepticism. In fact, say fraud fighters at the FTC, that’s what the bad guys are banking on.

But grandparents and other caring individuals can learn how to avoid being taken in by a fake emergency. If you get a call from a family member asking you to wire money, for example, don’t panic — and do resist the urge to act immediately. The FTC says:

Try to verify the caller’s identity by asking personal questions a stranger couldn’t answer.
Resist the pressure to act immediately; don’t be afraid to use a phone number you know to be genuine to call back. If you don’t have the relative’s phone number, get in touch with the person’s parent, spouse, or another close family member to check out the story before you send any money, even if you’ve been told to keep the event a secret.
If you can’t reach a family member and still aren’t sure what to do, call your local police on the non-emergency line. They can help you sort things out.
No matter how dramatic the story, don’t wire money. Don’t send a check or money order by overnight delivery or courier, either. Con artists recommend these services so they can get your money before you realize you’ve been cheated.

Report possible fraud at ftc.gov or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP.

The FTC works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. Watch a new video, How to File a Complaint, at ftc.gov/video to learn more. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

Article Courtesy of FTC

 

HOME REPAIR FRAUD
Senior citizens are approached by individuals offering to perform various home repair jobs such as driveway repair, roof or gutter repair, and chimney cleaning. The perpetrators claim to have materials left over from other jobs, offer significant discounts, or claim they were sent by a close relative or friend. Once the job is completed, the cost of the work is suddenly more than the first quote and payment in cash is demanded. The con artist may accompany the victim to the bank, to ensure payment in cash. Sometimes these home repair con artists will commit burglary if the opportunity presents itself.

PREVENTION TIPS
1. ALWAYS lock your doors when doing yard work, getting the mail, or anytime you go outside - both the front and back doors.

2. NEVER allow strangers inside your home.

3. CHECK with the utility company by telephone if an employee wants to enter your home, or wants you to come outside with them.

4. BEWARE of unsolicited home repairmen. If you need the services of a home repairman, check with the township building officials to make sure they are legitimate. Be suspicious of anyone knocking at your door asking to make repairs to your home, or asking to pave or seal your driveway.

5. WRITE DOWN the plate number of any suspicious vehicles they may be operating.

6. CALL THE POLICE TO REPORT THE INCIDENT!!!!

TRANSIENT CRIMINALS
Who are these criminals that specifically target senior citizens? They are a group of highly organized specialists in frauds and scams, who travel from city to city, from state to state, usually traveling some distance from their home to commit their crimes. The police have named this group TRANSIENT CRIMINALS. Because these criminals move from one area to another, law enforcement depends on shared information and improved reporting systems. It is extremely important that these crimes are reported to the police department.

The TRANSIENT CRIMINAL targets the senior citizen for several reasons. Seniors are more trusting in nature and are less likely to report the crime. They feel embarrassed or fear losing their independence, if they fall victim to these types of crimes. Many senior citizens keep large sums of money and other valuables at home. Senior citizens are more apt to have physical infirmities and are often alone during the day. Many times they are unaware of traveling con artists.

UTILITY IMPOSTER BURGLARS
One method used by these criminals to invade homes is called the Utility Imposter Scam. The suspects will pretend to be employees of the water department, power company, cable TV company, or a home improvement repairman. They will use a multitude of excuses to enter the home, such as; we need to inspect your water pipes, or we need to replace your water meter, or even a request to use the bathroom. One suspect will attempt to divert the homeowner downstairs to the basement or outside to examine needed repairs. During the diversion, a second suspect will enter the home to steal cash and jewelry. The imposter burglars may come equipped with all the tools of the trade, wearing hardhats, traffic vests, carrying walkie-talkies, etc.

HOME INVASION BURGLARY
The burglary team is usually made up of two to four people. In many cases, a male will drive three females to the targeted area. The female suspects will roam the neighborhood and approach senior citizens working in their yards, while the driver either cruises the neighborhood or parks away from the area. One suspect will distract the homeowner asking any number of questions. The second suspect will slip into the unlocked residence and steal cash and jewelry. It might be days or weeks before the homeowner realizes she/he has been the victim of a burglary. The suspects are careful to put everything back in its place.

1. Sometimes suspects will knock or ring the doorbell. The suspects will pretend to be ill, ask for a drink of water, ask if the house is for sale, ask about a previous owner, pretend to be looking for a lost dog, or any other excuse to get inside the home.

WANTED

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