(New Castle, DE 19720) Recently, officers from the New Castle County Division of Police have seen a rise in phone scams with suspects targeting elderly victims. The scam typically starts the same with a suspect targeting an older person who in most cases has a child or grandchild. The suspect may pose as a family member and request money for bail or medical bills due to an accident or major incident involving the victim’s relative.
If you get a call from someone claiming to be your grandchild or someone who is speaking on their behalf, like an attorney or doctor, and they are demanding money, slow down and don’t make a rushed decision. Scammers will often try to pressure you into making a quick payment in the form of pre-paid gift cards or wire transfers. Scammers may also request to meet in person to pick up cash from your residence or a public location.
Victims are targeted more these days due to social media websites. Suspects can easily use social media to look up personal information to help create a believable story that includes life events, nicknames, vacation plans, and more. You can protect yourself by asking additional follow-up questions and by checking with family members to confirm the story.
Protect yourself and your loved ones from scams targeting senior citizens by sharing the following tips.
– Verify that it is your grandchild by contacting their parents or by asking a question only your real grandchildren would know the answer to.
– Resist pressure to send money quickly and secretly.
– Be careful what you put online.
– Be suspicious of urgent requests.
– Be wary of late-night calls.
– Don’t be quick to act.
– Let the call go to voicemail or have them call back.
– If they’re asking for payment with gift cards of any kind, it’s likely a scam.
– Please reach out to your family and loved ones and talk to them about this scam.
– Please do not hesitate to call 911 even if the scam was only an attempt and unsuccessful.
If you think you have been the victim of a scam or fraud, please do not be embarrassed or ashamed. These scammers can be persuasive, and you are not alone. Contact the New Castle County Police non-emergency line at (302)573-2800.
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