$72,000 Stolen From Senior Citizens Last Week, In 2 Reported Cases
JOHNSTON COUNTY – Law enforcement officials are issuing an alert to senior citizens about the grandkids scam. In two incidents last week, senior citizens in Johnston County lost a combined $72,000. There are likely more cases that have not been reported.
On November 14, an 85 year-old Princeton resident received a phone call from someone claiming to be their granddaughter’s bail bondsman. They claimed the elderly woman’s granddaughter was in an accident in Raleigh, had been arrested, and was in the Wake County Jail. The fraudster requested $24,000 in cash to bail the granddaughter out of the Wake County Jail.
The senior citizen provided the money, which was picked up by an unknown individual at her eastern Johnston County address.
On November 15, a scammer, pretending to be an attorney, called the Selma home of a couple in their late-70’s. They told the couple their granddaughter had been arrested in Wilmington following a fatal wreck with a government vehicle. In the crash, they claimed her granddaughter had killed a child. They said they needed $18,000 for her bail, plus an additional $30,000 for other associated costs. The victim sent a total of $48,000 to an address in South Carolina. Later, the scammer called again, requesting more money to be sent to Florida. Realizing they had been scammed, the couple refused to send more money, and notified law enforcement.
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), grandkids scams involve “urgent” calls from individuals claiming they need money for a medical bill or other trouble. They ask for money and tell you to keep it a secret. The calls usually involve pressure to act quickly to send money. The FTC says to stop and check out the information by calling your grandkids phone number yourself, or another family member. If you haven’t gotten one of the calls, the FTC says chances are you eventually will.
Speak with older adults in your family and make them aware of the grandkids scam. If you haven’t gotten one of the calls, the FTC says chances are that you will.
The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the two cases reported last week. If you are the victim of the grandkids scam, notify your local law enforcement agency.
If you get this kind of call and they are willing to get the money at your home, tell them where you live then contact the Police so they will be there to meet and greet and put the scum in jail.