SCAMMING GRANDMA/GRANDPA

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     "Hello, Grandma" the voice on the line said.  My wife who has no adult grandsons recognized the nature of the call and quickly replied!"Hello, honey. We missed you at the family Easter dinner yesterday. Are you in the hospital, have you been in a wreck, is your leg broken, do you need money to return to the States after someone stole your travelers' checks?"  On the other end---silence, followed by 'click'.

Somewhat like the call I received a few months ago: "Hello, Grandpa".  Didn't sound like either of my grandsons, but I played along, asking which grandson. A  vague response and when  I asked for elaboration, the same 'click'.   And we are not the only household to have this kind of scam call.  Have you  received your plaintive request ?  If not and an internet  search of your personal information indicates that you are of grandparent age, your call may be forthcoming . And, by the way, however charming the caller may be, do not utter the word YES in any way.  Apparently, some of these thieves record the conversation and use  voice recognition in nefarious ways injurious to your finances.

  Those who 'fall for' the scam are usually asked for credit card info or to wire money, etc. for various spurious 'needs'.  Unfortunately , the scam must be 'profitable' witnessed by the longevity of the ruse.  A couple of years ago, a former client told me that he had wired several hundred dollars to his 'grandson' before he realized the deception.

   This  preying on the presumed vulnerability of older persons is repugnant at best and damnable otherwise.  Former parishioners were duped by someone purporting to enhance the outside of their house. When the wife became suspicious,  she  went back into the house  and found a second person rummaging through their personal effects.  Though  they quickly fled  with some valuables, the thieves were later apprehended.

  Do you need your roof repaired, house painted, driveway repaved, financial portfolio updated, . . . on and on and on ?  And, just now when I had my lunch break, a call came for  (my first  name . .  which  I do not use)   A kind person was offering to expand my Medicare benefits!  My wife having had a similar call a few days ago, I recognized this deception and decided to  play along.  I asked if mental health costs were covered, including hospitalization for  psychotic experiences because I had been hallucinating and hearing voices.  (In case you wonder, this was a fabrication.)  The caller assured me that would also be covered. Did I have my old white card with my numbers on it and if not, he would be glad to wait while I retrieved it. At that point, my hunger won over my fun and I told him that  I knew his game and hung up.

    When you are 'lovingly' addressed by a 'grandchild' asking for money, perhaps an idea that my wife shared will be helpful: tell the caller  the grandparent can be reached at the following number . . . which is the local police station.

         Satchel

PS    I have no idea why the font size changes randomly.