Grandparents beware . . .

Phone scam catching people off guard

Grandparent Scam. It’s one of the most heartbreaking scams that Iowans report to the Consumer Protection Division. A criminal exploits an elderly person’s unwavering love, caring and instinct to help a grandchild or young relative in need. By claiming that he is a grandchild or a relative in serious trouble and needing immediate financial help, the caller tricks his elderly victim into letting down his or her guard. The Grandparent Scam has been around for several years but continues to target older people across Iowa and across the country. Some victims have lost tens of thousands of dollars.

The Surprise Call

You answer the phone to a distraught-sounding caller who refers to you as “Grandma” or “Grandpa.” Unsure who it is, you respond with the name of your grandson, and the caller tries to convince you that it’s really him. Or maybe the caller already knew your grandchild’s name because he found it posted on a Facebook page or somewhere online.

For the complete story, see this week's issue of The Ogden Reporter.