SCAMMED!

I had read about it in the newspaper, I think. I certainly didn't expect it ever to happen to us. The frantic phone call came yesterday and again this morning. One of our granddaughters was in trouble in Canada and needed $5000.00! . . . . .
The Better Business Bureau warns senior citizens that the “Grandparent Scam” is back:

HOW THE SCAM PLAYS OUT:
Typically, the grandparent receives a frantic phone call from whom they are led to believe is their grandchild. A scammer, posing as their grandchild, explains that he or she has gotten into trouble—often in Canada—and needs their help. The “grandchild” might claim he or she caused a car accident or was arrested for drug possession. With the new wave of calls, victims are also contacted by someone claiming to be a police officer or lawyer representing the grandchild in court. The “grandchild” pleads to the grandparents to not tell his or her parents and asks that they wire thousands of dollars for reasons including posting bail, repairing the grandchild’s car, covering lawyer’s fees or even paying hospital bills for a person the grandchild injured in a car accident.

If you receive a call from someone claiming to be your grandchild in distress, BBB advises that you don’t disclose any information before you have confirmed it really is your grandchild. If a caller says “It’s me, grandma!” don’t respond with a name but instead let the caller explain who he or she is. One easy way to confirm their identity is to ask a simple question that your grandchild would know such as what school he or she goes to or their middle name.

If you have fallen victim to the scam, BBB recommends that you report the incident immediately to local police and your state Attorney General’s office. If there is a request to wire money to Canada, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Call Centre has established the PhoneBusters hotline and Web site to report such fraud. Reports can be filed easily online through the PhoneBusters site at: www.phonebusters.com, or by phone, toll free at, 1-888-495-8501.

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When I asked The Knight what the first phone call was about and he said it was our granddaughter and she was in jail in Canada and wanted money, I thought he was joking. I thought he was alluding to this widespread scam and was trying to be funny. So, I just ignored him. That was yesterday. When he told me she had called back again this morning, and I asked what she wanted and he again said she was in jail in Canada, I impatiently told him to stop joking and to give me a straight answer! . . . . .
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I was astounded that someone is actually targeting us!
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