Sedona.Biz – The Voice of Sedona and The Verde ValleySedona.Biz – The Voice of Sedona and The Verde Valley
    Sedona.Biz – The Voice of Sedona and The Verde Valley Sedona.Biz – The Voice of Sedona and The Verde Valley
    • Home
    • Sedona News
    • Business Profiles
    • Opinion
    • Mind & Body
    • Arts
    • Elections
    • Gift Shop
    • Contact
    • Cart
    Sedona.Biz – The Voice of Sedona and The Verde ValleySedona.Biz – The Voice of Sedona and The Verde Valley
    Home » The “Family Member in Distress” Scam – It’s Back
    Sedona

    The “Family Member in Distress” Scam – It’s Back

    June 26, 2017No Comments
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email Reddit WhatsApp
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Reddit WhatsApp

    logo_ycsoPrescott AZ (June 26, 2017) – Another telephone scam has recently been seen in the Prescott area.  This “I’m in jail” scam targets the elderly with a phone call that begins with a scared voice saying “Grandma?” or “Grandpa?” or “Nana?”  If they get a response like “Joe, is that you?” they scammer is off and running.  “Yes Grandma, its Joe, and I’m really in trouble.  I’ve been arrested and I’m really scared.  Please don’t tell mom or dad as they would be so mad at me.  If you could bail me out in an hour it can all go away.  Please help me.”  The scammer tries to keep the conversation going and draw out more details to help their pitch.  Eventually they get around to asking for money, usually in the form of something that can’t be traced like internet gift cards or money orders.  

    These scammers prey on our fears and desire to help and can be very upsetting.  If you receive a call like this, hang up and call your loved one to put yourself at ease that they are all right.  Then call law enforcement if you are still concerned.  One thing to always remember is that no jail will ask for bail money in the form of gift cards or odd sounding cash transfers.  

    As with all of the other scams that are going around, be very careful of direct telephone calls or e-mails.  Whether it is the fake IRS scam, the “I’m in jail” scam or any of the similar phishing scams, it is important not to reply directly to links in the e-mails or phone numbers they might give you.  Whenever you have a concern, independently look up the telephone number or website and verify that you are truly communicating with the real organization and not the scammer.  

    Sedona Gift Shop

    A detailed article on this scam along with a video representation of what the scam sounds like is available on the Federal Trade Commission scam website – the direct link is:  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0204-family-emergency-scams.

    ** Family members and friends involved with our seniors are urged to share this information with them as they are the primary targets of scammers. Remind them to always ‘check first’ directly with a family member when such a call for ‘help’ is received.  

    Comments are closed.


    The Sad Lesson of Tyre Nichols
    By Tommy Acosta
    Having grown up in the mean streets of the Bronx there is one lesson we learn early on, and that’s don’t mess with the cops when they got you down, and outnumbered. The beating of Tyre Nichols at the hands of the police preceding his death at the hospital could have been avoided if only he had the sense to not resist them. People fail to understand that on the streets, cops are basically “God.” You can’t fight them. If it takes one, two, five, ten or twenty officers they will eventually put you down and hurt you if they have to in the process of detaining or arresting you. In the Bronx we would fight amongst ourselves but when the cops came it was “Yes, officer. No, officer,” and do our best to look as innocent as possible. People need to understand that cops on the street represent the full power of the state and government. Read more→
    Recent Comments
    • Mary Ann Wolf on The Sad Lesson of Tyre Nichols
    • RC Posey on The Sad Lesson of Tyre Nichols
    • Matt Kaplan on The Sad Lesson of Tyre Nichols
    • Joe on The Sad Lesson of Tyre Nichols
    • Gary Marsh on The Sad Lesson of Tyre Nichols
    Check out the Tlaquepaque Magazine
    Categories
    © 2023 All rights reserved. Sedona.biz.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.