QUAD CITIES, Iowa—
A Davenport grandmother and Iowa's Attorney General are teaming up to warm elderly Iowans about a recent rash of "grandparent" scams and teach them how to avoid falling prey to one.The scam, aimed at older victims, usually involves a plea for help with a financial emergency like a car accident or stolen wallet, and a need for a wire transfer of between $3,000 to $4,000 via Western Union or Money Gram. Attorney General Tom Miller warns that a caller may try and coax personal information out of the victim while asking to keep the call confidential to avoid tipping off other family members.
One Iowa grandmother "Rose" couldn't believe she fell victim to such a scam. "How anybody can do that to elderly people but I guess there's all kinds of people in this world," she said after wiring money to a caller claiming to be her grandson.
Investigators are asking families to warn their grandparents of this popular scam to prevent more people being swindled. More information can be found at the website of Iowa's Attorney General.
