MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – If you plan on visiting Grandma or Grandpa this Sunday for Grandparent’s Day, it might be a good idea to have an important conversation with them about avoiding scam artists on the phone.
A popular technique is the phony family emergency, where seniors are conned into believing a family member is in trouble and needs money.
Michelle Reinen, Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection, describes how con-artists pull this off without any intimate knowledge.
“They set up open-ended questions, they use vague trailers,” she explains. “And then that information is being handed over by that senior.”
And often times the senior targeted plays right into the scammer’s hand.
“Their response may be, oh Jimmy or Johnny,” she says. “So they’ll help the scam artist through the scam.”
She says it’s important to do some fact-checking with other family members to determine the emergencies validity.
“Remove the secrecy aspect,” says Reinen. “Talk to family about it if there is a concern that someone is in danger.”
Fortunately, there is an easy tip to follow to avoid falling for their scheme.
“Set up a pass-phrase that can be used should there be a legitimate emergency,” she says. “That way everyone knows that what is happening is valid and does need attention.”
A Senior Guide that helps individuals navigate through possibly tricky consumer issues and gives details on a wide range of scams can be found on the DATCP website.
