It’s known as the "grandparent scam" and we’ve received many complaints about this to our Action Line Department."
But how does it work? And how can you avoid becoming a victim?
It’s called the grandparent scam and has been targeting Hawaii residents by phone and email.
“The person on the other end either claims to be the actual grandchild or friend or they claim to be an officer or someone from law enforcement or from the government saying that their loved one has been detained in whatever country they may be visiting,” said Timothy Caminos of the Hawaii Better Business Bureau.
Residents who have received a call or email and reported it to the Hawaii BBB say the scammers ask anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000.
Because many people travel during the summer, calls about this scam increase.
“Recently Hawaii‘s better business bureau has seen a high volume of calls in compared to the rest of time year around,” said Caminos.
They usually ask residents to wire the money because it’s difficult to get their money back.
Caminos says Hawaii residents have not fallen for the trick.
But if you’re worried that there may be an ounce of truth, “Go ahead and call for yourself and try to find out through other ways to see if your grandchild or your friend is really stuck or lost or needs help,” said Caminos.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
