The grandparent scam isn’t new, but officials have recently warned about a new twist on it.
This time, it involves ride-sharing services.
Traditionally, the grandparent scam occurs when a person pretending to be a grandchild calls their supposed grandparent, the victim, for money. They may say they need money for bail or another immediate money-related issue. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the scammer will insist their request is urgent and must be kept a secret.
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr recently warned residents about the newest iteration of the scam. It still involves a scammer posing as a grandchild, or it could be one of their friends or phony law enforcement. But instead of the person asking for money to be wired, they’ll send someone to the person’s home to retrieve the funds. The victim pays the money to the courier, who is often an unwitting Uber or Lyft driver. This method makes it almost impossible to get the money back. It’s also possible that scammers may call back and claim they need more money.
“Scam artists prey on people’s emotions by trying to instill fear or create a sense of urgency in the hopes that people will act before thinking things through,” Carr said in a press release. “We encourage people to tell their older relatives about this scam so they can spot the warning signs and avoid becoming victims.”
Jeanette Harper, special agent with the El Paso, Texas, division of the FBI, told NewsWest 9 more about why older adults may fall for this scam.
“Most of the elderly may be confused, concerned, they’re afraid about their grandchild. So they get caught up in the scheme and they provide the amount of money that is being requested by the scammers.”
There are steps older adults can take to protect themselves.
The FTC recommends grandparents stop and check to see if the number belongs to their grandchildren. Additionally, the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division states grandparents should get off the phone if they receive a call using this scam. They should then call their grandchild and verify their whereabouts. Contact your grandchild’s parents if you can’t reach the grandchild — even if you were told not to do so.
Don’t trust the caller just because they know certain information about your grandchild. Social media can provide lots of information. Limit what you share online and never provide money, your address or any personal information to someone who suddenly calls you.
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