Older residents in Sheboygan and the surrounding area are being warned of an uptick in scams aimed at them.
The Sheboygan Police Department explained in a statement that several thousands of dollars have been lost by residents to the so-called “grandparent scams.”
The way the scam works is the fraudster will call an elderly resident pretending to be a family member, officer of the court, or law enforcement officer.
They will tell the resident that their loved one is in some legal trouble and that their bail was set at $10,000.
They then push for the target to pay it, usually in the form of gift cards, bitcoin, gold, or cash. In some instances, an individual has come directly to the victim’s house to collect the money.
A good way to spot this scam is the sense of urgency in their voice and when they ask for payment that excludes credit cards.
Residents are encouraged to hang up if they believe they are being targeted and to call the family member who is allegedly in trouble.
Then, if the call was a hoax, call your local police department to report it.
