BOISE, ID - It’s being dubbed the “Grandparent Scam” and the target is Idaho seniors. The Idaho Attorney General’s office reports a growing number of complaints about this new telephone scam. Boise State Radio’s Don Wimberly has more.

The typical conversation in the “Grandparent Scam” involves someone calling from out of the country, mainly Canada, claiming to be a grandchild in trouble. The grandparent is urged to wire money to help get them out of jail or repair a disabled vehicle. But the Idaho Attorney General’s office says it often turns out to be a cynical hoax.

Deputy Attorney General Bret De Lange says anyone who receives such a call should be very skeptical.

De Lange: “If someone says this is y'know, your grandson, say well let me call your parents and I'll get back to you. You call the parents and find out what's really going on, or some other family member.”

Also, never give out credit card or bank information over the phone. De Lange says wire transfers are like cash. They are virtually impossible to recover once they have been sent.

De Lange: “These are crooks who are on the run once they get your money they split the scene and then trying to find them to get that money back is just very, very difficult.”

One Idaho grandmother reported she had wired 11 thousand dollars out of the United States in the belief her grandson was in prison and needed the money to get released. I’m Don Wimberly.

Copyright 2009 Boise State Radio

Listen