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Message from
POLICE CHIEF KEN TRUVER
March 1, 2010
Consumer Alert !!- “Grandparent Scam”
Dear residents and visitors to the Castle Shannon Police webpage,
March 2010- This month’s message will focus on an old scam that has resurfaced in our area, and other South Hills Communities. The fraud has been identified in multiple news articles and websites across this country and others as the “Granparent Scam”.
The fraud scheme unfolds as a young male caller targets an elderly resident by phone and when they answer, the caller says something like, “Hi, it’s your grandson and I’m in trouble.” or, “Grandma/Grandpa it’s me.”, or “Hi Grandma/Grandpa, do you know who this is?”
When the victim guesses the name of one of their
grandchildren, the caller assumes that identity. The caller than goes on
to explain that they are involved in some type of emergency; they were
arrested, or their car broke down, or they have some type of immediate
medical need, and have they no money.
The suspect goes on to request a wire transfer of money to a specific location.
(Suspects choose a wire transfer because typically the funds are hard to track and cross multiple jurisdictional issues.)
“This crime is just despicable because it preys on the emotions of seniors who want nothing more than to ensure the safety of their grandchildren,” said Steve Cox, BBB spokesperson in a January 2009 article of the Utah BBB website.
When emotions run high, typically rational thought is disrupted, and the victims are not thinking clearly. Luckily in the two recent incidents in Castle Shannon, neither fraud was successful, but both families were put through emotional turmoil until the scam was eventually reported and explained.
For anyone victimized by this type of distressed call, we offer these tips:
- If the caller says, “It’s your grandson/granddaughter” Ask which one?
- Verify the emergency, by contacting another family member, even if the caller asks you not to, because they will be “embarrassed”.
- Do whatever is necessary to confirm the real relative’s whereabouts.
- Any request for a “wire transfer” should throw out multiple red flags that the call is suspect.
- Report suspicious calls immediately to police by calling 911.
Calls of this type may also be reported to the Office of the PA Attorney General at http://www.attorneygeneral.gov
Residents/Victims of this type of crime need not be embarrassed about being targeted or even if they fall prey to the suspect’s criminal activity. These types of frauds have been perpetrated across the country for years, and the suspect’s get more creative and perfect their schemes as they meet law enforcement efforts to thwart them.
Law enforcement officials welcome phone calls to investigate suspicious activity, and prefer to investigate a potential crime before it happens in order to protect their constituents.
As always, questions/comments may be directed to me at the contact information below:
Kenneth M. Truver
Chief of Police
Castle Shannon Borough
3310 McRoberts Rd
Castle Shannon, Pa 15234
(412) 885-9300 x110
(412) 885-9252 FAX
ktruver@csboro.com
Please Click Here for the February 2010 Report
Please Click Here for the January 2010 Report
Please Click Here for the December 2009 Report
Please Click Here for the November 2009 Report
Click Here for the October 2009 Report
Click Here for the September 2009 Report
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