Ulster County seniors are being warned about a scam that is targeting grandparents.

The Ulster County District Attorney's Office Division of Consumer Affairs are warning seniors in the Hudson Valley of the "grandparent scam".

This scam consists of phony "emergency" calls that ask grandparents to wire money to help a grandchild who is in "trouble".

There are several warning signs to the grandparent scam:

  • An urgent call for financial help with an emergency such as a car crash, medical emergency or trouble with the law
  •  A request to send money by wire transfer via Western Union or MoneyGram, or other unusual method
  • A request to keep the call confidential

The grandparent scam con artists sometimes trick their victims into mentioning names or they might have gotten information from social networking sites like Facebook.

The best defense is to be skeptical, and ask questions to verify the caller's identity. Call parents or other family members. Don't be rushed, and don't wire money. Wiring money is like cash and is impossible to recover.

Never give credit card or bank information over the phone. Consumer Affairs can be reached at 845-340-3260

 

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