Twenty five years ago, a male voice on the other end of the telephone scared my elderly grandmother. He simply said, “I need help.” Her response – “Alan, is that you?” He responded, “Yes, it’s Alan, and I’m in jail. I need bail money, can you please send $2,000 right away? Don’t tell anyone, I’m embarrassed, and I’ll explain later.” My grandmother had no idea that the male caller was not her son Alan, but a con artist trying to invade her wallet over the telephone. Luckily, my grandmother did not drive, and she called me for a ride to the bank. I was able to stop the con game, but the fake “Alan” was probably already calling his next victim.
Fast forward to 2011, and this con game is alive and well in Santa Clarita. This time, it appears that the male callers are getting personal information and sounding more believable on the telephone. They are obtaining personal information from ancestry websites, obituaries, Facebook, and other sources. They are calling our seniors, and claiming to be their adult grandchildren who are stranded in jail or in a foreign country. They plead for money to be wired to them via the nearest Western Union or Money Gram office. They sound very convincing, and claim that their voice may not be recognizable due to the long distance telephone call. They plead for their beloved grandparent not to tell anyone, and often the grandparent complies.
The only way to stop these con artists is to spread the story. Tell your family members, your parents and grandparents. Be careful what is posted on Facebook. Be aware that you or your loved one may be targeted, and there should be no “family secrets” or embarrassment. Although this is only one scam of hundreds targeting our SCV seniors, it can be easily avoided with just a little bit of knowledge.
For more information, please contact the Law Offices of Jane McNamara at 661-287-3260.