From The Tribune staff reports
JEFFERSON COUNTY — Authorities in Jefferson County are warning citizens of a disturbing scam, which targets grandparents.
According to a Thursday report from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, at least two incidents have been reported involving grandparents who have lost $14,000 or more in cash to scammers claiming to be attorneys collecting bond money for the victim’s grandchild.
“There is a new scam where a person calls a grandparent pretending to be a grandchild,” the JCSO wrote in a statement. “The ‘grandchild’ tells their grandparent that they have been in an accident and/or they are in jail and need bond money. They will then tell the grandparent that an attorney will call them to pick up the money. The grandparent meets with the supposed ‘attorney’ and gives them the requested cash.”
Victims later discover their grandchildren have been in no such trouble.
The sheriff’s office cautions citizens that bailing someone out of jail requires the family member to come to the jail and sign paperwork having the person released.
One cash exchanges was caught on video this Wednesday at the Flying J in McCalla. The suspect met the victim and took $14,000 in cash and left the scene. The vehicle in this instance was possibly a black SUV with dark tinted windows. The suspect appeared to be of Middle Eastern or Indian descent, but had no discernible accent.
Another successful scam resulted in a $16,000 loss for the suspect.
Anyone who receives a call of this nature is asked to call the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office directly at 205-325-1450.