Grandparents victim of latest scam Con artists pose as grandchildren asking for cash

Anna Walters

Jul. 14, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- The state Attorney General's Office is warning the elderly not to get caught up in an old scam involving con artists posing as grandchildren.

Across the country, scammers have called up "Grandma" or "Grandpa," asking them to wire cash to pay for car repairs, medical bills or other emergencies.

Though Bellingham Police Sgt. Ken Brown said the department has not had any reports of these "grandparent scams" in the past year, they have been reported throughout the country for several years, according to the Attorney General's Office.

The office did not have statistics related to the scams, but chose to alert the public to the threat after being contacted by an Eastern Washington man whose mother nearly fell for the scam.

The scammer told the man's mother he had wrecked his car in Canada and needed $3,000 immediately. The con artists generally target elderly people, who might have trouble recognizing voices over the phone. Then, claiming to be embarrassed, they ask their victims to keep the call a secret.

The victim will often help the phony relative save face and wire money without verifying the story.

Here's how to avoid falling victim to this scam:

> Don't fill in the blanks for the scammer, or give them any indentifying information about family members.

> Do whatever is necessary to confirm the real relative's whereabouts by calling his or her home, work or school.

> Don't send money unless you have verified that a relative really is in trouble.

Reach Anna Walters at anna.walters@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2220.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0233-26645338