You’re at home watching TV late at night, and Facetime rings on your cellphone. On the the screen is the image of your crying grandchild. Tears streaming down her distressed face, she pleads for your help. She is in trouble in a foreign country and needs money for bail. However, she begs you not to tell her parents, because she’s so embarrassed and ashamed for the mess she is in.
Then a lawyer gets on the call, telling you that time is of the essence. You must provide $50,000 for bail in two hours or your loved one will be convicted and sentenced to prison. Asking to you continue the call in your car, the attorney directs you to a nearby 24-hour gas station where there is an ATM selling cryptocoins. Several maxed out credit cards later, the electronic funds are safely in the hands of the kindly man who promised to free your little one from a dire predicament.
The next morning you call your children to let them know what you accomplished to keep your grand-daughter safe. They reply of course, she’s safe. She’s here right now. Do you want to talk with her? You ask, how could that be? Isn’t she overseas? Suddenly, a tide of confusion and fear washes over you, leaving you speechless.
Unfortunately, there are individuals out there who specialize in preying on our emotions and trust. They employ tactics known as grandparent or loved one scams, exploiting our closest relationships to deceive us into sending money for emergencies that don’t actually exist.
Or perhaps it’s an email from a friend or relative, describing a dire situation and requesting financial assistance. They stress the need for secrecy, asking you not to tell anyone. But before you rush to their aid, pause for a moment and consider: is the person on the other end truly who they claim to be?
These scams often start with a phone call or email that strikes fear and urgency. The caller might claim to be a family member facing legal trouble, medical emergencies, or unexpected travel expenses. They’ll insist that you keep their request for help a secret, knowing that involving other family members could foil their plans.
To expedite their scheme, they’ll often request payment through methods like wire transfers, cash pick-ups, or even gift cards. These payments are hard to trace and nearly impossible to recover. See Gift Cards and Other Untraceable Payment Methods at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/pol/fraud/untraceable-payment-methods.html.
It’s essential to be vigilant and recognize the warning signs of these scams. Look out for inconsistencies in the caller’s story, such as changes in details or vague information about their identity. Take the time to verify the caller’s identity by asking personal questions that only the real family member would know. If you have any doubts, reach out to the alleged victim or another family member via a separate communication channel to confirm the situation.
When faced with these distressing situations, it’s crucial to stay calm and collected. Resist the urge to act impulsively out of fear or concern. Take a moment to think critically and assess the situation before making any financial transactions. Educate elderly family members about these scams and emphasize the importance of skepticism towards unexpected requests for money.
Unfortunately, with that advent of artificial intelligence (AI), scammers can sample the internet for short clips of trusted persons on social media to create convincing deceptions. These sounds and images are getting so life-like that extraordinary measures to combat them, like establishing a safe word with your family to signal legitimacy during a call. This step may be the difference between avoiding and falling for this diabolical scam.
AI deep fakes are growing threat. Scammers are using this advanced technology to create realistic impersonations of loved ones in distress. Be cautious of unexpected video calls or messages that seem out of character, and always verify the identity of the caller before taking any action.
If you or a loved one falls victim to one of these scams, it’s essential to take action promptly. Report the incident to local law enforcement and provide as much detail as possible about the scammer. If you’ve been the victim of a fraud like this, call the Montgomery County Police Department’s (MCPD) non-emergency number at 301-279-8000.
If money was transferred, contact the bank or financial institution involved to report the fraudulent transaction. Seek support from organizations specializing in fraud and scams to help navigate the aftermath. For further information, see How to Report Fraud at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/pol/fraud/reporting-fraud.html.
By staying informed and vigilant, we can protect ourselves and our community from falling victim to these deceitful schemes. To learn more about preventing fraud or fighting cybercrime, call the MCPD Financial Crimes Section at 240-773-6330.
Walt Houser 