The Division of Consumer Protection has cautioned senior citizens who receive mysterious phone calls in an attempt to scam them of their money.
“The Grandparent Scam,” as the Division of Consumer Protection is calling it, is where people will call senior citizens and, pretending to be a loved one in trouble, will ask for money.
Francine A. Giani, executive director of the Utah Department of Commerce, announced the scam is particularly hitting Utah as of late. Her own parents were victims of the con; however, they escaped devastation by staying smart and thinking before acting.
“I applaud my father for not taking the bait and calling me first about this call before heading out to send money to what he thought was his grandson,” Giani said. “I hope my family’s experience will prompt families to share this around the dinner table and remind grandparents to call their families first before acting with their checkbook.”
According to the Utah Division of Consumer Protection, “Consumers are urged to hang up on such callers, contact their families to verify the information and report any suspicious calls to their local police department as well as the Utah Division of Consumer Protection.”
For more information on protection from scams such as this one, visit www.consumerprotection.utah.gov/.
