Consumer Tips

Relative in Need Scam

The BBB would like to warn senior citizens to be aware of an emerging telephone scam that is preying on seniors across North America.

For example, when a senior citizen receives a distressed phone call from who they believe is their grandchild, and have been arrested or involved in an auto accident and needed the senior to wire money to post bail or pay for damages-usually amounting to a few thousand dollars.

To protect them from this scam, the BBB would like to offer the following information:

-Confirm identity. BBB is advising seniors to confirm the status of the individual by calling them directly or verifying the story with other family members before taking any further action.

-Wiring money is a red flag. BBB also advises that any request to wire money through Western Union or MoneyGram should be seen as a "red flag" and an immediate tip-off that the call may be part of a scam. Funds sent via wire transfer are hard to track once received by scammers and are usually not recoverable by law enforcement or banking officials.