Beware of the Grandparent Scam, in which scam artists pose as your grandchild in trouble.
- They pretend to be your grandchild calling in the middle of the night;
- They tell you they are in some sort of trouble;
- They plead with you to keep it a secret, not to tell their parents;
- They will often have a second person pose as an official who will validate the claim;
- They ask you to wire money for “bail” or other problems via Western Union, MoneyGram, or even to mail cash.
What can you do?
- To avoid falling prey, ask your “grandchild” to prove who they say they are
- Trust but verify; call the child’s parents
- Hang up!
If you have a consumer problem or question, contact the Northwestern District Attorney’s Consumer Protection Unit:
- Greenfield: (413) 774-3186
- Northampton: (413) 586-9225
Working in cooperation with the office of the Massachusetts Attorney General.
