6. Fake Family Emergencies
Also known as the ‘grandparent scam,’ a fake family emergency is often used as an excuse to rip off the elderly. As the name suggests, a retiree is usually targeted, receiving a call from a scammer claiming that he/she is a close friend of their grandchild and that their grandchild needs immediate help.
The scammers often call late at night to make sure that retirees will get easily confused. After saying that their grandchild needs immediate help, the scammer urges grandparents to wire money in order to cover hospital bills, a plane ticket, or bail. So, based on the scammer’s story, he/she will use different excuses to see that money wired.
Some scammers call, saying that they are the kidnappers of your grandchild. No matter what you hear, please do not believe them! And even if they seem to know certain things about you, scammers often use social media to approach their victims.
So, if the caller doesn’t want to put your grandchild on the phone, he/she is most likely trying to scam you. Just hang up and call your grandchild to see what he/she does.
2 thoughts on “11 Common Scams Targeting the Elderly”
One very good wasy to get rid of the grandchild call is to ask for his or her middle name. They will immediately hang up.
Another scam is a call telling you your computer has a virus and they can get rid of it for you when indeed they are putting the virus in and charging you big bucks to get rid of it, then later calling you telling you they can’t fix it and is going to return your money. Instead they wind up taking more money.