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Attorney General Mike DeWine
Grandparents Target
of Phone Scams
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)— In recognition of National Grandparent's Day Sunday,
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is warning families to beware of
phone scams targeting grandparents.
In a typical "grandparent" phone scam, a grandparent receives a phone
call from someone posing as a grandchild. The caller claims to be in
trouble and in urgent need of money, maybe to pay a fine or to keep the
grandchild out of jail. The grandparent is asked to send money
immediately, often out of the country, using a prepaid money card or
wire transfer. In other variations of the scam, the person on the
phone asks for iTunes gift cards. The caller will often ask the
grandparent not to "tell Mom or Dad."
"Scammers believe grandparents are easy targets because of the special
relationship many have with their grandchildren," Attorney General
DeWine said. "We want to make sure families are educated about the
kinds of scams that are out there, so they don't become victims."
Grandparents who send money or gift cards likely will receive
additional calls requesting more money. The scammer will claim that
more money is needed to help the grandchild return home safely.
Eventually, grandparents discover that their grandchild was not in
trouble.
Ohioans can keep the following tips in mind to help prevent becoming a
victim of this scam:
Communicate with your family members. Talk to your family about scams
and discuss how you would communicate during a true emergency. If you
receive a call from a grandchild or another family member who claims to
be in trouble, contact someone else (such as the grandchild’s parents)
to determine if the person truly needs your help, even if you’ve been
instructed not to contact anyone else. When in doubt, ask questions
only your real family members would know how to answer, such as the
last time you saw each other.
Limit the amount of information you share online. Don’t post upcoming
travel plans or detailed personal information online, and encourage
your family members to take similar precautions. Check your account
privacy settings and limit who can view your information. Be aware that
scammers may use information posted on social media or publicly
available online to learn more about their targets and to make their
ploys seem believable.
Be wary of unusual payment requests. If a caller demands that you pay
over the phone using a gift card or a prepaid reloadable card, it’s
likely a scam. Also be wary of requests for payment via wire transfer.
These are preferred payment methods for scammers because it is
difficult to trace or recover the payment once it is provided.
The Ohio Attorney General's Office warns consumers about scams and
offers a variety of educational materials, including a phone scams
checklist.
Ohioans who suspect a scam should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s
Office at 800-282-0515 or www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov.
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