The Wisconsin DATCP is reminding older citizens of the ever-present danger of scammers.
One scam that is frequently used to steal the hard-earned money of older consumers is commonly called the “grandparents scam.”
This scam begins with someone calling claiming to be a grandchild or loved one.
The caller claims they are in trouble and need money quickly for tuition or textbooks, to fix a car, to get out of jail, for hospital bills, legal troubles, or to return home from a foreign country.
They beg you to wire money or send cryptocurrency and to keep the request a secret.
Typically, once the grandparent realizes the caller was not their grandchild, the money they sent is long gone and irretrievable.
In recent years, AI-powered technology like voice cloning has made the grandparents scam even more convincing and dangerous.
Families are encouraged to talk with their older members about these scams and the signs that they are being targeted.
Another tip is to create a family passcode, so that if a caller ever asks for money to be sent over the phone, family members will know to ask for the family passcode first.
This allows loved ones to take control of the conversation and determine whether the call is genuine.
If you have been targeted by a scammer, you are encouraged to file a complaint at ConsumerProtection.wi.gov or contact the Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 422-7128.
