Several months ago I started hearing talk of new scam plan out there where younger people were getting text messages from supposed "friends" telling them that they had been arrested, in an accident, taken ill, or some other catastrophe. The "friend" then asked the recipient of the message to wire them money via Western Union to an office in another state. Of course, if the person sent the money, it was picked up by some unknown person, and who then disappeared, never to be seen again. In fact, their stories were just about like the bag of natural fertilizer you see to the left.
Now a local paper has reported that two ladies in Pasco County, Florida, one 86 years old and the other 72, received phone calls from someone saying it was their grandsons. One said he had been arrested and the other said he had been in an auto accident, both in other countries.
Both "grandsons" asked the ladies to wire them money in other countries, which both did! Of course, it was not their grandsons on the phone, and the money that was sent was lost forever. Well over $20,000 total! Once the thieves had picked up the money overseas they were long gone.
One of them said he was in a hospital in Spain, and having lived there for 12 years, I know that they will not let someone die for lack of money. Afterall, they have national health care.
So what should you do if you get a call, an e-mail, or text message from someone claiming to be a friend or relative saying they are in trouble and asking for money? Well, I am no crime expert, but here is what I would do before sending money to some unknown person in another state or country.
- Call every relative you know and ask them if it is true that your relative or friend is, in fact, out of the country or travelling.
- Call the police to see if this scam has been pulled before.
- Ask the caller what his/her first, middle, and last names are.
- Ask what his parents' names are.
- Ask how many brothers and sisters he/she has and their names.
- Ask about cousins, aunts, and uncles.
- Ask where he/she went/goes to school.
- Ask how old he/she is.
- Ask what town he lives in. His parents town.
- Ask what color is his car or his parents' car.
- Ask him what your husband's/wife's name is.
- Ask him what kind of pets he has and what their names are.
- Ask him any other personal questions that a stranger would not know the answers to.
If the caller cannot answer the above questions, you should doubt whether or not the call is legitimate. Of course your grandson will know what his parents' names are. But a trickster probably just pulled your name off the internet, and has no more information, just the phone number. I would bet that as soon as you start asking him questions he cannot answer, he will likely hang up. Something will tell him that you are not being fooled.
Do your best to confirm that this is truly your relative or friend before you send money to anyone. Ask a neighbor, a friend, or the police to assist you if you need to. I am sure they will all be happy to help you and keep you from losing your savings.
My guess is that all of these calls are scams. But the caller is counting on the love that grandparents have for their grandchildren and they are hoping you will act quickly without stopping to make sure the call is real.
You can read (for now at least) the full article as it appears on The Tampa Tribune website by: CLICKING HERE
So be careful out there and do not let these crooks take advantage of you. I would not be surprised if this type of scam was also operating in other counties and states as well. So let your neighbors and friends know about it. If the call is REAL you should be able to take steps to confirm its authenticity before you wire money anywhere!
If I can be of any assistance, call John Elwell - REALTOR at CENTURY 21 Bill Nye Realty, Inc. 813-783-4444 or e-mail me at: jelwell1@tampabay.rr.com
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