Mercer County couple lose $9,500 in grandparent scam - WFMJ.com News weather sports for Youngstown-Warren Ohio

PINE TWP., Mercer Co., Pa. -

A Mercer County couple lost $9,500 in a grandparent scam after being tricked into believing their grandson was in jail.

The victims, a 72-year-old woman and a 73-year-old man, were targeted on Feb. 21 at their Pine Township home in Mercer County, according to a report released by Pennsylvania State Police.

Police said the couple received a phone call from individuals posing as an attorney and their grandson. The callers claimed the grandson was involved in a serious crash and needed $9,500 for bail. They told the victims a courier would come to their residence to collect the cash.

After the couple complied, the scammers called back, requesting an additional $7,500, claiming the charges against their grandson had increased. At that point, the victims realized they were being scammed. When they tried to call the number back, it was disconnected.

The Federal Trade Commission warns that grandparent scams are common, with scammers exploiting the emotional connection between grandparents and grandchildren. Scammers often use personal information gathered from social media or other sources to create believable storylines.

The FTC also cautioned about the use of artificial intelligence to clone voices, advising people to verify the caller’s identity by contacting them directly using a known number. If unable to reach the individual, contact other family members.

The FTC and state police advise the following:

• Be wary of anyone pressuring you to send money quickly.
• Hang up and report suspicious calls to local law enforcement.
• Verify the caller’s identity by contacting them directly.
• Do not trust the voice on the phone.
• Be aware that scammers may request payment through mobile payment apps, wire transfers, gift cards, or in-person meetings.
• File complaints with the FCC about unwanted calls and spoofing, and with the FTC about imposter scams.

Check consumer awareness articles on scams targeting older Americans on the Better Business Bureau website, or find out about scams near where you live using the AARP Fraud Watch Network Scam-Tracking Map.