Thursday, April 14, 2011

PLEASE READ: Beware: Grandparent Scam Is REAL - and Very Believable - ask Grandma Betty.

If she didn't say it was my nephew on the phone I would have thought - oh here it is - a person trying to scam an older adult out of money.
But my mom (Who many of you know) called to say our nephew had called and she spoke with him. He was in a car accident and in trouble and needed help to get out of jail. My mom spoke to her "grandson." She asked him questions that he knew the answers to. His voice was that of my nephew down in Florida. He begged his "Grandma" not to tell anyone that he called her because he was too embarrassed to call his mom.

Then he gave the phone to another individual who was "from the court system" who requested $4,800 to have the issues go away and no court date would be needed. My nephew would then have a clean record.

My mom took the initiative to tell the "officer" that she wanted him to call her son-in-law who is an attorney. The person immediately hung up.

For a brief period of time our entire family thought my nephew was in trouble and needed help. My mom, understandably, was very upset. She did reach her grandson and found out he was fine and safe at home.

I explained the situation to a friend who said the same thing happened to a family she knows. A young person called sounding exactly like their grandson.
They totally thought it was him. They did not give money but the first inclination was to try to help.

If you know any older adults who may have this happen to them please let them know immediately.

The voices sound exactly like their grandchildren. I've been told phone calls, or Xbox Live games - computer voice games may be how the people impersonate the voices. Obviously they link up online to get details about the individuals who they call so they can sound authentic.

Please let everyone know to beware of this issue. It is real and many people are getting taken. I read online that one family was taken for $20,000!
Call your aunts, uncles, moms & dads - share this post with your family and friends.

Posted via email from LJJ Speaks!

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