Grandma scam, other high-tech cons target elderly

RYE BROOK, N.Y. (WABC) -- Scams targeting seniors are getting more and more sophisticated with thieves preying on the elderly using social media and cell phones to cause panic that a loved in truly in danger.

Nancy Weinberger didn't fall for a con that targets seniors known as the grandma scam. Someone pretends to be a relative and calls or emails saying they are hurt or in legal trouble while traveling overseas. They ask that money be wired to them fast.

Gary Brown, the assistant state attorney general, said the scam works. "It's a scam that's hard to get the money back from and it uses such a powerful psychological hook:: the love for their grandchild," he said.

Rep. Nita Lowey, D-Westchester, along with state and county officials were in Rye Brook warning seniors that the scam has evolved. Scammers who used to troll obituaries for family name are now mining the internet and social media.

"They can find out all sorts of personal information, so even though a call might sound like an emergency, keep your cool and don't respond," said Lowey.

When the truth is revealed, there's often relief the relative is safe but also embarrassment and anger.

Nancy Weinberger, a Rye Brook resident, called the scam "terrible."

"People work hard for their money, to have a little nest egg and then they get scammed like this. By people who have nothing better to do than to steal money from other people," she said.