Senior Citizen Scams – is that your grandchild?

The Better Business Bureau is investigating a nationwide scam that preys on the emotions of senior citizens for money. It works like this. You receive a call from a person claiming to be your grandson or granddaughter. They claim they are in trouble and need money immediately. Helen Broskea of Allen Park, Michigan ,82, received just such a call. She asked lots of questions and the man had a legitimate answer to all of them. “I was a wreck. I was thinking — It sounded like him, ‘Grandma I love you,'” said Broskea.. The worried grandmother was ready to get the money when she called her son, Brandon‘s father, to see if he had heard from him. Turns out he was right where he was supposed to be ‰ÛÒ in school. Police are not sure how the scammers get the names and numbers of the seniors, but once they get them on the phone they begin fishing for information. The caller usually begins the conversation by saying, “Hi, Grandma, It’s me, your favorite grandchild.” With enough information, the caller makes the pitch of being in trouble and in need of money. The BBB encourages family members to explain the scam to elderly people, hang up if they receive a call like this and verify with the supposedly distressed family members before wiring money. To report an incident, call your local Better Business Bureau or visit bbb.org .