Grandparent Scams
You may or may not be a grandparent, but it’s important to be aware of the latest scams that are targeting older adults. While the most well known scam pray on people claiming their grandchild is in jail, and the only way to get them out is to send money or gift cards, there are a variety of similar scams that may seem like they know about you and your personal situation. Even though you may feel nervous or threatened or feel like you need to act quickly, some important things to keep in mind:
There is no prize
You won’t be arrested
You don’t need to decide now
There’s never a good reason to send cash or pay with a gift card
Government agencies aren’t calling to confirm your sensitive information
If you’re unsure, take down the callers contact information, or try calling the person who they are claiming is in trouble (i.e. your grandchild if they say he’s in jail). Don’t become a victim of a scam.
Remember these tips:
Hang up if you receive a call from anyone saying you have a relative in jail or they are calling from a government agency or if anything seems suspicious
NEVER give personal information over the phone to someone who calls you directly. This includes:
Address
Banking Information
Social Security Number
Passwords