Released: November 22, 2013 - Friday, 04:11 PM
Scam Advisory
Contact: Tony CipollaPhone: (805) 781 4547Date and time of incident: Several IncidentsPlace of Occurrence: San Luis Obispo CountyVictim Information: N/ASuspect Information: N/AThe San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office is warning about a phone scam that is being reported in the area. The "Grandparent" scam typically has a person targeting an elderly resident's phone to pose as a grandchild in jail or in the hospital in a foreign country and requesting money for bail or emergency medical treatment. This scam has been around for years, but in the last few weeks, the Sheriff's Office has received several complaints. In one instance, a local couple, thinking their grandson was in jail in the Dominican Republic, had actually withdrawn approximately $1,700 from their bank account to wire the money overseas. But an alert bank manager was able to stop the transaction before it could take place. Here are some tips if you should receive a call like this. Verify the caller's identity by contacting your grandchild or another family member to determine whether or not the call is legitimate. Resist the pressure to act quickly. Never wire money based on a request made over the phone or in an email. Wiring money is like giving cash, once you send it, you cannot get it back.
