Beverly Police: Tell Elderly Relatives To Be Wary About Scams

BEVERLY, MA —Beverly police are asking residents to talk to their elderly residents about a common scam in which older residents are contacted and asked to send money for a grandchild or younger relative who is in trouble.

Police have reported an increase in the "grandparents scam" in recent months, which Beverly police said have increased through the isolation of the coronavirus crisis.

Danvers police recently reported a disturbing new trend in the scam in which those attempting to commit fraud attempt to collect money in person at a residence instead of having it wired.

"We are asking family members to have conversations with their elderly family members about these types of scams," Beverly police said. "Should they receive calls like this they should be instructed to contact a family member or the Beverly Police Department to verify the information.

"Scammers frequently use tactics which place people in fear, including threats and warnings with instructions not to call the police. Assure your elderly family members they will not be in trouble for calling the police."

Beverly police can be reached at 978-922-1212.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

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