The Granny Scheme - Help! I need money!...

“Grandma! I’m in jail. I did something bad and I got caught. You’re the only one I trust. Please don’t tell my parents. You’re the only one I can trust! You know my Mom - she may be a blond 35 year old, but she‘s got such a temper. And Dad, that bald old grouchy guy will loose control.”

“Child. Where are you?”

“Im in jail an they want $1,000 to get me out!”

“Where are you? You don’t sound like yourself.”

“I’m scared. I’m sorry. They threatened me!”

“Of course I’ll send you the money.”

The Arizona Republic Newspaper published an item on this scam. With all the information and pictures put out on Facebook and other such sites, it’s easy to assume the identity of just about anyone. This scam is becoming big. It’s easy enough to have so much family history and details at your fingertips, it would be simple to put one over on Granny. Apparently there are quite a few that have fallen for this scam. One woman wired $1,000 and then got a call where the kid needed $1,000 more to hire an attorney. She sent the money.

If I ever receive this call, I will go along with it to the point of getting the caller’s phone number and the information on where to wire the money. I would then call the parents to be sure the kid was safe and alert them to the scam. I would then and immediately call the local authorities with the caller’s phone number and every piece of information I could get.

I’m sure many of you have heard of this scam, but decided to share it just the same.

Comments: 37

Heidi S. Dec 14, 2011, 6:08pm UTC

Wow, if only these people would use their clever ideas in a positive way...........

Pam Brittain Dec 14, 2011, 6:19pm UTC

In the profession I'm in, I could write a book about the fantastic scams that crooks come up with. I couldn't agree with you more.

Alla Goltsman Jan 16, 2012, 8:30pm UTC

Are you planning to write about it? If you do, I predict - it could be a hit. May be, a NY Times bestseller. People looooove to read about scams. I think people love to read about scams because they are not the ones that suffered.

What do you think, Pam?

Pam Brittain Jan 17, 2012, 12:41pm UTC

Alla, you may have planted a seed. I've always thought that foreclosures were boring (been in the business for too long), but your idea gives it a different slant. Maybe.

Heidi S. Jan 17, 2012, 11:20pm UTC

We have about 21% of the houses here abandoned in foreclosure right now, Pam (at least the last time I checked). People are getting scammed by renting empty homes from people who aren't even the owners. It's incredible. You should write a book.

Pam Brittain Jan 18, 2012, 12:20pm UTC

That's an old scam that never goes away. Alla planted that seed well. I'll be posting on a newer scam and hope I'll get some feedback from all of you. I'm going to try to learn how to submit to some newspapers after I've improved it by posting it on Gather.

Thanks for reminding me about the rental scam. I'll probably do the same with that and others.

Heidi S. Jan 19, 2012, 5:57pm UTC

:)(:

Pam Brittain Jan 19, 2012, 6:49pm UTC

Thanks for the neck balance.

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Toni V. Dec 14, 2011, 6:19pm UTC

I have to agree with Heidi. If they would just put their energies into something positive.

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Vj McMullan Dec 14, 2011, 7:16pm UTC

Coincidence, I was going to say the same.

Pam Brittain Dec 14, 2011, 7:21pm UTC

The same as Toni and Heidi? I do believe I have truly good friends on Gather that would never stoop to a scam like that. And you're definitely one of them (meaning you're good). Whew - almost submitted this without clarification.

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Vj McMullan Dec 14, 2011, 8:12pm UTC

Ya, agree with them.

Pam Brittain Dec 14, 2011, 8:14pm UTC

Hi Vj. I doubt you'd ever stoop to a scam like that either.

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Tanya P. Dec 14, 2011, 10:53pm UTC

Yes, I've heard variations of this one before. Many of those elderly falling for the scam didn't know whether or not they really had a grandchild, but trusted that if the 'boy/girl' said so, then it must be true. It is heartless the way some people prey on those who are often defenseless.

Pam Brittain Dec 14, 2011, 11:06pm UTC

I so agree. Guess that's why I decided to post this.

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JOHN BECK Dec 14, 2011, 11:12pm UTC

There are so many scams to take advantage of trusting people, especially the elderly.

Pam Brittain Dec 14, 2011, 11:32pm UTC

I really could write a book about the scams I see - just in the real estate (specifically foreclosure) industry.

Pam Brittain Dec 14, 2011, 11:32pm UTC

And I'm old.

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William Dotani Dec 15, 2011, 1:49am UTC

This is mild to some scams, but good info to know.

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John S. (arizona) Dec 15, 2011, 7:43am UTC

Geez... always some scam angle in the works it seems.

Pam Brittain Dec 15, 2011, 6:31pm UTC

Yeah and that just get me. I see piles (usually directed at the elderly) in my real estate business. Maybe we should get together and write a book.

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Patricia J. Dec 15, 2011, 7:57am UTC

I'll pass this on to the ladies here at the home. I haven't heard this one in a while. I live in a senior citizens apartment building and many of the people here are single ladies who are in their 70's and 80's. Some of them are a little confused. Not all of them have computers so in that sense they are safe, but if someone in the area were combing through the trash they could get a lot of information.

Pam Brittain Dec 15, 2011, 6:33pm UTC

If their kids have computers, chances are all of the descriptive information is on there. Glad you're passing it on.

Kinda wierd. I've never experienced auto writing, but since I've been on Gather, auto thinking has happened more frequently. I wasn't even sure why I posted this, but was once again compelled to do it.

Patricia J. Dec 15, 2011, 7:42pm UTC

You posted it because you care about people!

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Marilyn (PaintsOnSlate) S. Dec 16, 2011, 6:01am UTC

A 92 year old friend of my got this call and even though she had not heard of the scam yet she just laughed at the kid and said call your parents. They have more money than i do!. When the kid begged just for half of the money she said again call your parents and they will give you all the money dummy!

What a smart woman she is and feisty as a bob cat.

Pam Brittain Dec 16, 2011, 4:01pm UTC

Wow - smart lady.

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Nurse Nancy S. Dec 17, 2011, 9:21am UTC

OMG!!! You must know my ex!!!! He was the biggest con artist.

Pam Brittain Dec 17, 2011, 7:44pm UTC

I would never have guessed it. Glad to hear he's now your ex.

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Heather M. Dec 17, 2011, 7:49pm UTC

This one has been around for a while. There are some variations on it, but it doesn't change too much.

It's important to keep tabs on the elderly members of one's family to help safeguard them against such scams.

Pam Brittain Dec 17, 2011, 8:07pm UTC

This is partly why I use an icon instead of my own picture. Is that why you do???

Heather M. Dec 17, 2011, 8:12pm UTC

In part. I also like using this particular photo, because he was such a major part of my life for so long. I don't have any great photo of both him and his sister together, and having a photo of her would hurt too much. It hasn't been that long since I lost her--six months.

Pam Brittain Dec 17, 2011, 8:17pm UTC

I so understand. Part of the reason I use the bluebird is because it better depicts what I believe my character is. I'm completely not photogenic.

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Len Maxwell Dec 22, 2011, 7:46pm UTC

As others have mentioned, this one has been around for a while, but it's always good to remind people that there are some real scumbags out there who will take them in any way they can.

Pam Brittain Dec 22, 2011, 7:58pm UTC

Seemed timely with Christmas coming on and FaceBook etc., sharing so much info. Thanks for dropping by.

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Alla Goltsman Jan 16, 2012, 8:00pm UTC

Those scumbags!

Pam Brittain Jan 16, 2012, 8:06pm UTC

Being in the real estate foreclosure industry, I see scumbags all the time. Too bad they can't use their brains for something useful.

You don't withhold your feelings do you? Chuckle.

Alla Goltsman Jan 16, 2012, 11:22pm UTC

Pam, I am so damn straight forward that I just give it like it is.

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The Granny Scheme - Help! I need money! Don’t tell anyone!

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