Scammers target grandparents, steal thousands of dollars
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During the grandparent scam, someone calls and pretends to be your grandchild by saying they're out of the country and in trouble. Then they ask you to wire money and not to tell anyone, like mom or dad. Video by kgun9.com
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During the scam, someone calls and pretends to be your grandchild by saying they're out of the country and in trouble. Then they ask you to wire money and not to tell anyone, like mom or dad.
Web Producer: Taylor Higgins
TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - It is one of the most vicious telephone scams out there.
The Better Business Bureau is well aware of the grandparent scam -- and it's one KGUN9 has been following for months. Recently, another Nine On Your Side viewer called us to say scammers targetted her. If you're a grandparent--listen up-- because con artists are targeting you.
During the scam, someone calls and pretends to be your grandchild by saying they're out of the country and in trouble. Then they ask you to wire money and not to tell anyone, like mom or dad.
Mary Schurr called Nine On Your Side because scammers tried getting her money.
"We're getting by, especially in this park, we're all on fixed income...for somebody to come and scam them out of their hard earned money, that they really don't have anything to spare, it makes me really mad," Schurr said.
Fortunately, Schurr she saw the warning signs, but she doesn't want anyone else to become a victim.
Nine On Your Side reached out to the Better Business Bureau and it tels us victims of this scam-- have lost thousands of dollars.
"It exploits grandparents love and affection for their grandkids and it's just really unfortunate," said Nick LaFleur, BBB Spokesperson. "And some of the people that I've spoken to that have been victims are just devastated."
Nine On Your Side viewer Mary Schurr did just what experts suggest you do. She didn't give out any personal information--and asked a lot of questions to find out if the caller really was her granddaughter.
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