Have you heard of "Grandkid Scams"? Here's how they work:
You get a call: "Grandma, I need money for bail." Or money for a medicine bill. Or some other kind of trouble. The caller says that it's urgent, and tells you to keep it a secret.
But... is the caller who you think it is? Scammers are good at pretending to be someone they're not. They can be convincing: sometimes using information from social networking sites, or hacking into your loved one's email account, to make it seem more real. And they'll pressure you to send money before you have time to think.
Here's what you can do:
1. Stop. Check it out. Look up your grandchild's phone number yourself, or call another family member.
2. Keep your information (and your money) safe. Never give out personal identifying information, such as bank account or credit card account numbers, to anyone you do not know. And never send money unless you have verified that your relative is really in trouble.
3. Pass this information on to a friend. You may not have received one of these calls, but chances are that you know someone who will - if they haven't already.
If you believe you’ve been the victim of a scam, please file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint.
