Greg's Corner

Police warn of phone scam targeting the elderly

By Greg Collier

The Chesterfield County, Virginia, Police Department is alerting the community about a troubling cell phone scam after an elderly couple fell victim to it earlier this week. In this case, the scammer posed as the attorney of the couple’s great nephew, leading to a significant financial loss for the unsuspecting victims.

The caller informed the elderly couple that their great nephew had been involved in a car accident, resulting in the death of his passenger. The scammer then claimed that the nephew was in jail and required bail money. Under this false pretense, the couple was instructed to withdraw a substantial amount of money from their bank and wait at home for further instructions.

The couple withdrew the money and returned home. Shortly after, someone arrived at their house to collect the money and took it to an unknown location. Often, the person collecting the money is an unwitting rideshare driver, making the scam not only financially devastating for the victims but also dangerous for the driver. We’re reminded of the Uber driver who was shot and killed by a scam victim earlier this year.

These types of scams, known as grandparent scams, specifically target older individuals due to their trusting nature. Scammers exploit this trust, leading victims to act on the false information before verifying it.

To avoid falling prey to such scams, verification is crucial. If you receive such a call, contact your relatives directly to verify their situation. Additionally, be cautious of unknown phone numbers and do not feel obligated to answer them.

The Chesterfield Police Department shared essential tips with residents to help them avoid being scammed. A lawyer will not call you from jail to get someone out, especially if they just got arrested, nor will they send a courier to pick up bail money. Your family members should be able to make a phone call to you. A lawyer or bondsman will not be at the jail with them.

If someone you know has been arrested and calls you, they will use a system that identifies them as an inmate at that facility. Always verify the identity of the caller by asking specific questions.

Scammers are convincing and use scare tactics. If you feel uncomfortable, hang up the phone. Couriers are often unaware they are involved in a scam. If one shows up, call the police. No legitimate entity will ask for payment in cash, gold, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.

Lastly, Let unknown calls go to voicemail. If it’s important, they will leave a message.