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NEW CANAAN, Conn. New Canaan police again warned residents to beware of callers attempting to pull off the grandparent scam after four people have been contacted since last Friday.
Scammers called four New Canaan homes recently trying to get money wired to them by concocting a story about a younger relative in trouble, Sgt. Carol Ogrinc said. In one recent case, a caller posed as a relatives granddaughter who was reportedly involved in a car accident involving alcohol, Ogrinc said. None of the residents contacted were tricked into giving any money.
Typically in the grandparent scam, scammers call older residents and pose as a grandchild or other younger relative and tell them that they are in trouble, usually after being arrested in another state or foreign country. The caller or another person, sometimes posing as an attorney or police officer, then asks them to wire money to them for bond.
Police departments do not contact anyone to ask for money to be wired for bond, Ogrinc said. If called, you should ask questions and get contact information from the caller, she said. Also, try to contact the child or the childs parents to verify the situation. Its not going to be confirmed because its a hoax, Ogrinc said.
Ogrinc said to never wire money in this type of situation. If you are contacted or are not sure of a situation, call the New Canaan Police Department at 203-594-3500.
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