Crime Alert: Beware the 'Grandchild in Jail' Scam

The Richfield Public Safety Department is warning residents of two recent scams that have found their way into Richfield and other area towns.

In a crime alert Wednesday, the department said a Richfield resident lost $6,800 in a rip-off known as the "Grandchild in Jail." The following are details on the scam:

A senior receives a call from a young person claiming to be their grandchild (may use actual name). The caller is very convincing and urgent. They say they only are allowed one call and need thousands of dollars wired or express mailed to them.

In addition, police gave details on GreenDot Money Pack scams:

Scam artists know that consumers are now skeptical of wire transfers so they are using Green Dot MoneyPak cards (reloadable debit cards) to commit their crimes.

A consumer can load a MoneyPak card by paying cash at the store and use it like a debit or credit card; amounts spent are deducted and the balance remains on the card. Consumer can reload the card simply by adding more cash at a store. Every card has a scratch-off 14 digit security code that should not be shared with anyone. Once that number is given out, the card is no longer secure and is vulnerable to fraud. GreenDot MoneyPak does not have policies in place for consumers to dispute fraudulent charges or to recover money from fraudulent charges or transfers.

The scams take many forms but typically a scammer will contact a victim and tell them to load money onto a card and reveal the 14 digit serial number. With that number, scammers can transfer the money onto their own prepaid debit cards, usually opened under stolen identities, and withdraw the money or make their own purchases.

Never give out the 14 digit security code. Refuse any offer that asks you to buy a MoneyPak and share the number or receipt information. If you want to use a MoneyPak to purchase something online, transfer the money from the card to a PayPal account to complete the transaction.

Police are urging residents to be aware of these scams and to take the following safety precautions:

• Guard your personal information;
• Send mail from the post office;
• Reduce the number of credit cards you have;
• Know billing cycles & monitor credit card statements;
• Never give out your credit card number or bank account number(s) over the phone unless you placed the call and you know with whom you are doing business;
• Be wary of all requests for donations from unfamiliar individuals or organizations
• Lastly, if it sounds too good to be true … it is!