JAHS Posted April 28, 2016 Posted April 28, 2016 ‘Grandparent scam’ may target families of Mormon missionaries The Utah Division of Consumer Protection has received a report of a scam artist calling the grandparents of an LDS missionary claiming that their grandchild was in trouble and needed them to send money, The Idaho grandparents receiving the call sent $3,885 via wire transfer to an alleged bail bondsman for bail and court fees to aid their grandson who faced DUI charges, according to Jennifer Bolton with the Utah Department of Commerce. The details of the family's account mirror the reports of others who have reported "grandparent scam" calls to the Division of Consumer Protection, Bolton said. "If family members receive a call of this nature, they should always hang up with the caller and contact the mission office or the Church's missionary department to verify the information. If a missionary is indeed in trouble, the Church would reach out to the family through their stake president, and would never ask for money from the family," stated Elder Brent H. Nielson, executive director of the LDS Church's Missionary Department. LDS families with missionaries currently serving are advised to be careful about what they communicate publicly regarding their child's location, names of companions or any other identifying details as to their location which could be used for fraud, Bolton said. "Missionary families please be aware that fraudsters may be combing social media for names of grandchildren to create a fake emergency over the phone," warned Francine A. Giani, executive director of the Utah Department of Commerce. "If you receive one of these calls, please hang up and call their parents before sending any money anywhere." Hard to believe the grandparent fell for this. Just how many missionaries are arrested for DUI?
JulieM Posted April 28, 2016 Posted April 28, 2016 (edited) How sad There are people just waiting and looking for an opportunity to take advantage and scam. I have seen a lot more missionary blogs and other types of these posts online now and many contain information that makes them easy prey. It's a good warning and reminder to be careful what personal information is posted online. Edited April 28, 2016 by JulieM
Guest Posted April 28, 2016 Posted April 28, 2016 That is so bad, even were their no God, those who prey on the old...nature will find a way to make such people pay.
Robert F. Smith Posted April 28, 2016 Posted April 28, 2016 (edited) 4 hours ago, JAHS said: ‘Grandparent scam’ may target families of Mormon missionaries The Utah Division of Consumer Protection has received a report of a scam artist calling the grandparents of an LDS missionary claiming that their grandchild was in trouble and needed them to send money, The Idaho grandparents receiving the call sent $3,885 via wire transfer to an alleged bail bondsman for bail and court fees to aid their grandson who faced DUI charges, according to Jennifer Bolton with the Utah Department of Commerce. The details of the family's account mirror the reports of others who have reported "grandparent scam" calls to the Division of Consumer Protection, Bolton said. "If family members receive a call of this nature, they should always hang up with the caller and contact the mission office or the Church's missionary department to verify the information. If a missionary is indeed in trouble, the Church would reach out to the family through their stake president, and would never ask for money from the family," stated Elder Brent H. Nielson, executive director of the LDS Church's Missionary Department. LDS families with missionaries currently serving are advised to be careful about what they communicate publicly regarding their child's location, names of companions or any other identifying details as to their location which could be used for fraud, Bolton said. "Missionary families please be aware that fraudsters may be combing social media for names of grandchildren to create a fake emergency over the phone," warned Francine A. Giani, executive director of the Utah Department of Commerce. "If you receive one of these calls, please hang up and call their parents before sending any money anywhere." Hard to believe the grandparent fell for this. Just how many missionaries are arrested for DUI? I have occasionally been the recipient of scam artists of this kind, both in person and by email. I always refer them to the appropriate ecclesiastical authority, who is always in the best position to aid someone in trouble. Travelers sometimes lose their cellphones or address books (which the scam artists mine), but can always find the nearest consulate, embassy, or branch of the LDS Church for immediate remedies. Never send money. Just the dumbest thing one can do. Edited April 28, 2016 by Robert F. Smith
thesometimesaint Posted April 29, 2016 Posted April 29, 2016 Such scammers need a very long prison sentence.
silvermoon383 Posted April 29, 2016 Posted April 29, 2016 Sounds like a Mormon edition of the old grandparent scam. Last summer my grandfather called me out of the blue to see if I was ok. Turned out someone called claiming that I was in the hospital after a car wreck and needed to have some money sent to pay the bill. Thankfully this is the grandfather that's too smart for these scams and called me directly before doing anything else.
The Nehor Posted April 30, 2016 Posted April 30, 2016 I got a call last week telling me there were IRS agents on the way to arrest me if I did not give my bank information to them immediately to pay past due taxes. I told them I would be glad to and then spent about five minutes reciting a random collection of numbers. When they questioned why the number was so long and if I was sure I had the right number I explained that it was an old Swiss bank account and the numbers are very long for those. They hung up after a few more minutes of me reciting random digits. I still have not been arrested. Always remember that people who try to pressure you into doing something immediately are usually either debt collectors or scammers. 1
Tacenda Posted April 30, 2016 Posted April 30, 2016 These scammers actually called my mother in law, so it's rampant. We need to warn over and over the elderly.
JAHS Posted April 30, 2016 Author Posted April 30, 2016 7 hours ago, The Nehor said: I got a call last week telling me there were IRS agents on the way to arrest me if I did not give my bank information to them immediately to pay past due taxes. I told them I would be glad to and then spent about five minutes reciting a random collection of numbers. When they questioned why the number was so long and if I was sure I had the right number I explained that it was an old Swiss bank account and the numbers are very long for those. They hung up after a few more minutes of me reciting random digits. I still have not been arrested. Always remember that people who try to pressure you into doing something immediately are usually either debt collectors or scammers. About once a week I get a message that the IRS is filing a lawsuit against me and to call a certain number. I guess scammers do this on the hopes that they will snag someone who knows they could be in trouble with the IRS.
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