克利夫兰及周边地区消息

Grandparents Still Targeted for Scams

By Better Business Bureau Serving Greater Cleveland

Better Business Bureau Serving Greater Cleveland (BBB?) is reminding families to be on alert for scams targeting senior adults. In the past, scammers would claim a grandchild was in trouble with the law or in jail. However, in the post-pandemic era, the scam has taken a new twist. The FTC released a warning last year advising consumers to be cautious of scammers posing as grandchildren who are sick in the hospital or stranded overseas due to coronavirus. These communications come with a sense of urgency which panics victims into wiring money under the pretext of paying a hospital bill or making travel arrangements.   In 2021, Better Business Bureau received over 200 reports of scams taking the form of a family or friend emergency. In these scams, over 35% of consumers reported losing money. Most commonly, this was in the form of an online money transfer or prepaid credit or gift card. Victims were usually solicited through phone calls. BBB wants to remind the public that older adults are susceptible to many types of scams, not just ones specifically targeting grandparents. BBB also recommends seniors should: ● Verify the Caller’s Identity. Ask specific and targeted questions that a stranger couldn’t possibly answer, such as a middle name or the name of an elementary school. Confirm the emergency itself by contacting another family member or friend through a trusted method. ● Resist the Urge to Act Immediately – It’s easy to panic when a family member may be in danger, but stay calm. ● Don’t Send Money – Scammers may ask for cash in the form of cash, money transfers, or gift cards. Don’t send funds until you can validate contacts.   Questions? Reach out to your BBB at 216.241.7678 or email mybbb@cleveland.bbb.org. For more news and tips visit BBB.org.