SCAM ALERT

This may seem like an obvious scam, but it's fooled plenty of people -- mostly because the scammers are good at what they do. They choose their targets carefully, tug on the heartstrings, and keep other family members "out of the loop" until it's too late. They may ask you to go to the bank or Western Union or send money online. the scammers are cunning -- one couple could have sworn the guy REALLY was their grandson.

Recommendation: There's one easy way to expose the fraud: DO NOT fill in any "blanks" for the scammer. For example:

"Do you know who this is?"

"No, I don't. Who is this?"

"It's your granddaughter."

"Really? Which one?"

Most likely, the next sound you hear will be a click, followed by a dial tone.

That's the easiest way not to fall for the grandparents scam.

-Glenda Cresap, Executive Director