Trumbull man nearly lost $8,500 in ‘grandparents’ scam’

TRUMBULL - Police helped stop an elderly resident from losing $8,500 in what is called “The Grandparents Scam.”

The scam that has been around for years goes this this:

A grandparent gets a call from a person claiming to be from a police department.

They say police have arrested their grandson on a charge, such as DUI.

They say their grandson is being held behind bars.

They tell the grandparent to send money to release the grandchild.

They lose their money because the grandchild was never arrested.

Lt. Douglas Smith said an elderly Trumbull resident nearly lost $8,500 earlier this month because he fell for the scam.

But, quick work by the Trumbull Police Department and the the U.S. Postal Service helped foil this scam.

“The elderly Trumbull resident received a call from a male who identified himself as a police officer from the Boston Police Department telling him his grandson was in jail after receiving a DUI.

“The caller told the resident to send $8,500 for bond money to an address in Boston. The resident did as requested and sent the cash via the U.S. Postal Service.

More Information Trumbull police say if residents should get a similar call, they should: Slow down, remain calm, get the callers information and tell them you’ll call them back. Try to contact the grandchild or other relative to confirm even if asked not to. Call the police agency for confirmation. Tell the caller you will have someone deliver the money in person If still unable to confirm. contact your local police for assistance.

“Shortly afterward, the grandfather was able to make contact with a family member and found that his grandson was not incarerated and this was a scam.”

Smith said Trumbull police were then contacted and notified the Postal Service.

Officials from the Postal Inspection Service in Boston were able to intercept the mail, stopping the cash from being lost.”

Inspectors are currently looking for the people behind the scam.

Smith said scammers ask to receive the money in a number of ways, including wire transfers for bond payments or medical treatments to various vacation destinations in other countries.