The Damn Scam

First Offense:  Phoenix, Arizona - August 2008

Mamaw was watching television, most likely with the newspaper folded in such a way in front of her on the coffee table that she could glance at it and be reminded of the date. She likes to know what day it is. The phone rang. Upon answering, she heard the voice of a young man claiming to be her grandson. 

"Hi! It's your grandson!" She was naturally pleased, because it's rare that her adult grandsons call her.

"Is this Patrick?" she asked. The young man said he was. He told her he was in some trouble. Please don't tell any other family members. He was in jail and needed a few thousand dollars to post bail.

The story didn't jive for Mamaw. Not because she didn't think it was Patrick, but because she didn't think he should be calling her for money. Mamaw told Dad later in the day about the call and said she didn't think it was a good idea to send money. Dad listened to Mamaw's story and quickly concluded she hadn't been called by one of her grandsons. He explained what had likely happened to her. 

Mamaw is 91 years old. I've written about her here and here.

Second Offense:  Bellevue, Washington - March 2009

Chris' grandmother received a call from a young man claiming to be her "favorite grandson". She, like Mamaw, was delighted to hear from one of her adult grandsons. She assumed it was Chris. [He's obviously her favorite.] The young man said he was in some trouble. He also requested other family members not be alerted because he was embarrassed and would explain later. He needed $3700 wired immediately—he was in jail in Vancouver.

Chris' grandmother told his grandfather about the phone call and together they made a trip to the bank. They withdrew money and prepared to wire funds to their favorite grandson.

Chris' grandfather became suspicious while talking with the young man as they were getting specific wiring instructions. He began asking the favorite grandson questions to confirm his identity. The perp cracked when Grandpa Ross asked, "What's your dog's name?" He hung-up.

Grandma and Grandpa Ross are 84 and 85 years old.

Lessons Learned

1. Grandchildren of Mamaw - If you're in trouble, Mamaw might send you a file in a cake to spring you from the clink. Don't hold your breath for cash. Go to Plan B.


2. Grandchildren of Grandma and Grandpa Ross - Ensure you have Grandma and Grandpa's contact information on your person at all times. Specific wiring instructions for your financial institution would be helpful also.


3. Favorites - My brother Mallory Joe is NOT Mamaw's favorite grandson. Chris IS the favorite grandson of Grandma and Grandpa Ross.


4. Mary [our dog] - She gets extra treats this month for saving Grandma and Grandpa money. She really is like Lassie.

Seriously, warn the older people in your life about this scam.

Comments

[Sherri]

I can't imagine the type of person you would have to be to sit in your house, on your phone, trying to scam money out of old people. Then again, even though I'm not a senior, I can relate because Comcast is my cable provider. They do this to me all the time - not under the guise of being my "favorite grandson" but on promises of awesome movies on Starz and Encore.

[Kate Coveny Hood]

Great story! So funny to read - but so horrifying to think about. I'm always far more shocked than I should be to hear about people trying to con the elderly. Low lifes (I mean the con men - not the elderly)

[Connie @ Young and Relentless]

I've heard of that happening....love you you laid out the facts. I almost feel like I learned something!

And this song! OMG...totally brought back a memory that I must blog about! Thanks for the material. That reminds me...I need to email you back! LOL!

[Cheri @ Blog This Mom!]

I'm really glad you posted this. It is amazing the lengths people go and how easy it is to get scammed. No wise cracks about guys with new Jeeps at gas stations, please.

Also? I think Chris is the favorite grandson like I am the Betty.

[Bobbi Olson]

Your Mamaw and Grandma and Grandpa Ross are a bunch of smart cookies!

I hate people that try to take advantage of the elderly.

[Chris]

Sherri - Comcast does it to me too! And I agree, it must take a terribly messed-up person to scam the mature set.

Kate Coveny Hood - I figured you weren't referring to the elderly as low life. Silly!

Connie - Glad you learned something AND were inspired for a post.

Cheri - No wise cracks from this peanut gallery... And you might be on to something, Betty.

Bobbi - They are smart!

[Henry the Dog's Mum]

That's the first I've heard of this. It's disgraceful. I'm stunned. I can't believe people do this to old folk. I guess I'm naive myself for thinking people wouldn't fall so low. Had to smile at your little summing up at the end though:)

[Lady Fi]

It's terrible the way people target old people and try to cheat them out of their money. Here in Sweden, people come to the door with sob stories and then pinch money out of their handbags...

Thanks goodness you've got smart relations!

[thedemigod]

Nana would've probably sent money to her favorite grandson RAINBOW BRITE and still wouldn't have caught on. Le Sigh.

LOL. Thank goodness the folks in your family tree are smart. :P

[Jennifer]

Wow. To have 2 different sets of Grandparents hit by the same scam. Who would've thought.

[g]

Wow. Amazing. It takes a special kind of evil to do that.

My mother is ornery and cynical, so it won't work on her! Thank goodness for that!

[Chris]

Henry's mum - It is disgraceful, isn't it. I'm glad you found the smile in it. Chris, all the grandparents and I did too.

Lady Fi - I love how you and Henry's mum phrase things. So proper - like the dialogue in "Mary Poppins".

Demigod Darling - RAINBOW BRITE, Le Sigh... I love you. :P

Jennifer - That's what I thought! I'd actually forgotten about Mamaw's experience - then Chris' grandfather telephoned last week... Someone (a bad boy) must have access to an ARP phone list or something.

g - Ornery and cynical is good! I hope I have a bit of both when I'm a little older. I have quite a bit of ornery right now!

[the mama bird diaries]

That's awful! Why are people so evil?

[Jannie Funster]

Boy, things like this really chap my a*%.

Low, low, low to prey on the elderly. Like Jennifer said, "a special kind of evil."

My mom and dad are only around 70 and they're already getting calls like this.

I'm sorry, I have to stop writing now. I'm so pissed off just thinking about these scammers.

Anyway, thank you for the reminder. And for the humor in telling it.

[debbie]

To try to scam an elderly person by believing they are helping a needy grandchild is beyond reprehensible. I am appalled.

[Kaycee]

I've heard of this before and think it's awful. I'm glad your grandparents didn't fall for it.

[jessica]

and don't forget the NIgerian scam artists. I get letters from them all the time. They are very very slick. I'm so glad no one ended losing any money. God, it burns me up to read stuff like this

[March 24, 2009 |]

Oh, the bastards! Please give the dog another treat for me. And can you send me Chris' grandparents' number? :D

Recent blog post: iHeartFaces Week #11 - Adults (No Flash!)

[Bill A]

My "favorite" grandson hung up when I asked him his last name.