Be alert for ‘red flags’ to avoid scams

By RITA THACKER

Southeastern Illinois Agency on Aging

We all think it can’t or won’t happen to us, but unfortunately we need to be aware of the many ways scam artists try to get our money.

The Southeastern Illinois Agency on Aging works with the Senior Medicare Patrol Project through AgeOptions. The project helps seniors and those who assist them to be in the know regarding Medicare fraud and current scams. The AgeOptions SMP Project covers all of Illinois.

One example of a scam happened to one of our own employees at Southeastern Illinois Agency on Agency.

Her husband received a call recently from someone who said, “Grandpa, I’m in trouble and I need help.”

“Grandpa” responded by saying his grandson’s name and asked what was going on.

The caller proceeded to tell his “Grandpa” that he was in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He stated that they had been in an accident and had a few drinks, so they had been arrested.

He said he had made a deal with the judge, and if “Grandpa” would Money-Gram him a specified large amount of money to Wal-Mart, then the judge would let him go. “Grandson” said he would repay the money and didn’t want anyone else to know about the ordeal.

“Grandpa” said he needed time to get the money together; “grandson” said he would call back in two hours. “Grandpa” gave him his cell phone number, then called our employee, “Grandma,” and told her the situation.

A little background: This couple’s actual grandson is in the military, and his grandparents know he could be sent anywhere at any time; hence, their grandson could very well be in Canada.

“Grandma” went to the bank and withdrew enough money to wire, then raced home so she could be there when “Grandson” called back. When he called, “Grandma” got on the phone.

She asked how he would get the money, and “Grandson” stated the police would take him to Wal-Mart to pick it up. He told “Grandma” that after she wired the money, she would get a confirmation number, and that he would need that number to pick up the money.

“Grandma” was feeling a few red flags. Her grandson goes by his middle name, so “Grandma” asked what his first name was; “Grandson” became irritated and told “Grandma” that he didn’t have time to mess around, that they were telling him to get off the phone. He asked how long it would be before they wired the money, and “Grandma” told him it would be about an hour.

“Grandma” then called information for the police station in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She got an officer there and explained the situation. The officer looked on his database and stated he did not have anyone by their grandson’s name listed as being incarcerated.

He told her by no means to wire the money. He stated they do not make deals, and they do not take prisoners to Wal-Mart.

The grandparents phoned the base where their grandson was stationed and asked to speak to their grandson. He was there and came to the phone; they explained what was going on and the reason for the call.

When the hour was up, “Grandson” phoned. He wanted to know if they had wired the money yet.

“Grandpa” told him he had a few questions before they wired the money. He asked him what his mother’s maiden name was; “grandson” became angry and told him he didn’t have time for this. “Grandpa” told him he wasn’t getting any money until he answered; of course, “Grandson” gave a wrong answer.

“Grandpa” told him he was not getting any money, and “Grandson” hung up.

Our employee called back the officer she had spoken with in Canada and let him know that it was indeed a scam and thanked him for his assistance. They then headed for the sheriff’s office to report the incident.

A situation that could have turned out very bad was stopped. How easily it could have gone the other way. What grandparent wouldn’t help their grandchild if there were any way they possibly could?

We all know scams are out there, but when it hits this close to home, it makes it more real. Please don’t let anyone rush you into a decision like this. Ask questions that only a relative would know the answer to. Ask for a number to call them back.

Call our agency at 262-2306 or (800) 635-8544 or AgeOptions at (800) 699-9043 for assistance.

Then always report any questionable requests to the sheriff’s office.

• Rita Thacker is a caregiver specialist with the Southeastern Illinois Agency on Aging, which serves Hamilton and eight other southeastern Illinois counties.

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