Lawrence Police Warns Seniors Of 'Grandparent Scam'

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ —The Lawrence Township Police Department said it has received several reports of senior residents falling prey to the “Grandparent Bail Scam”.

According to the police, the grandparent scam targets elderly residents who have access to cash. Residents receive a phone call from a panicked person claiming to be their grandchild. The person then tells the victim that they were arrested for a drunk driving accident, and that they desperately needs bail money.

Police said the person tells the victim that the accident resulted in a pregnant woman being injured or some other awful event. Victims are then given the phone number for a fake lawyer, or the person tells them that the lawyer will contact them.

Scammers pretending to be the grandchild will always tell victim they are very embarrassed and not to tell anyone, police said.

The fake lawyer will then contact victim and tells them they needs several thousand dollars in cash to get the grandchild released.

Police said these scams have been on the rise in New Jersey over the past several months.

Police is advising residents to follow the listed guidelines if they get any unknown or suspicious calls with odd requests:

• Do not return messages from panicked grandchildren telling you to call an unfamiliar number. Always call known numbers for the grandchild, or contact other family members first to check on the grandchild.
• Do not agree to send any cash via a courier or express mail.
• Call the police if you have any doubt at all about the person calling for bail.

Contact the Lawrence police department for further information or questions.