It’s the middle of the night. You’re probably sound asleep. The phone rings, and you hear a voice say, “Grandma (or Mom), I need help!” All sense of reason goes out the window. You are hooked by the fear that your loved one is in trouble. You ask, “Ricky?” (You have just given the scammer some information.)
And Fake Ricky says, “Yes! I’ve had an accident and need money to fix the car.” Or, Fake Ricky may say he’s been arrested miles away or in a foreign country. Or he’s in the hospital. Who would not respond to the emotion that this call would cause?
Scams like this are called “Grandparent” or “Emergency” Scams, although the potential scammee maybe Mom or Dad. The scammers count on catching us off guard and count on the primal emotional response that a call like this evokes. They count on us not stopping to think and responding quickly to the plea.
The BBB of Canton, Ohio offers scam information for consumers. Check out these FAQ.
- How are potential scammees chosen? How do scammers get our names? There are telemarketing lists, telephone listings, obituaries, and of course – social media.
- How do scammers know so much about us? In the above situation, the scammee provided a name. Scammers also use obituaries, Internet browsers, and (here it is again) social media.
- What are the scammers’ lines? The scammer may say there is a medical emergency or that they are having car trouble. The scammer may also pose as law enforcement or an attorney.
- How do I know it’s a scam? Stop. Breathe. Do you have a secret family word? (If you don’t, create one.) Ask the caller for the word. Ask for information that an imposter would probably not know such as the person’s pet’s name. Call your family member to check on them. Contact a friend or family member if you can’t reach the person. Don’t panic. Check out the facts before you act.
- What do you do if you’ve become a scammee? If you’ve wired money and it hasn’t been picked up, you may be able to stop the transaction through the wire company. If you’ve sent cash or gift cards, your money is gone. Report the scam to the police, your state attorney general’s fraud division, and the Federal Trade Commission.
Here are a few more things to consider:
- Have you ever Googled yourself? Do it. You may be surprised at what you find.
- Watch what you post on social media.
- Be aware of family “location” information.
- Is it spring break? Is it vacation time? Scammers know when prime times are to hook scammees.
- Phone numbers can be spoofed. Don’t drop your guard!
From 2015 through the first quarter of 2020, the Federal Trade Commission had over 91,000 reports this type of scam. They have probably gone up. Don’t add to those numbers!
Stay safe!
