The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning residents of emergency scams, or “grandparent scams”.
They say emergency scams are about a family member or friend in a dire situation. A person gets a call, email, or social media message from someone claiming to be a distressed family member. They may say they have been arrested while traveling overseas, or there was an accident, medical emergency, or other issue. They provide convincing details, such as family names and school details.
A common version is the “grandparent scam,” where the con artist contacts a grandparent claiming to be their grandchild and asking for money. The plea is so persuasive that the grandparent wires money to the scammer, only to find out their family member was safe and sound later. This scam can also work in reverse, where the “grandparent” calls their grandchild pleading for help.
Recently, the FTC has warned that scammers are using voice cloning techniques to imitate the voices of loved ones. The technology enables con artists to copy the voices of persons close to you from videos they may find on social media or other sources.
When these calls are received, officials urge to resist the urge to act immediately, no matter how dramatic the story. Verify the situation with other family and friends, but first hang up or close the message and call your loved one directly. Also, know what your family members are sharing online.
To report a scam, call your local law enforcement agency. Learn more about all types of impostor scams.
