Burlington Police Warning Seniors About 'Grandparent Scam'

BURLINGTON, MA — The Burlington Police Department sent out a Code Red Message via phone to residents on Thursday warning about the "Grandparent Scam," which authorities said already has been responsible for two residents losing over $10,000 apiece.

The scam targets senior citizens, who receive a phone call asking for money for bail or a lawyer to help a grandchild in serious legal trouble.

Authorities said victims have gone to the bank and withdrawn money, which was then handed over to a courier who came to the house.

Burlington Lt. Glen Mills said there have been other recent attempts to scam seniors in Burlington, and other successful and unsuccessful attempts in nearby municipalities.

"We know from regional contacts, other detectives, that this has been going on this week," Mills told Patch. "There have been a lot of attempts and a lot of successful scams. It seems like it has gotten to the point where we have to tell people about it. It's been a lot this week."

The recorded message, sent out to those who have signed up for Code Red Alerts, offers details about the scam and reminds seniors to think before giving personal information or money to anyone.

The department also is asking younger residents to warn elderly friends and family members about the scam. Mills pointed out that senior citizens are less likely to read about the scam on social media.

Mills said any residents who have fallen victim to a scam should alert authorities. However, he said it's not necessarily helpful to report unsuccessful attempts at a scam to the police.

The "Grandparent Scam," Mills said, has similar elements to other scams of the elderly.

"These scams follow the same type of pattern," Mills said. "They call with a message that triggers fear, they create a sense of urgency, and then request money that will solve a problem. The money usually is transferred in some type of odd way that the victim can't get back: large amounts of cash, sometimes in gift cards, even in Bitcoin."

Mills said the department is asking residents who receive these calls to pause and reflect on the request, and, if necessary, even call the police to verify if it's a scam.

"We tell people that if someone is calling and threatening to arrest them or deport them, or put a relative in prison, or if a caller says someone has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom, don't give out any payment info or any large sums of money," Mills said. "We tell people, if they think it's a scam, it probably is a scam, and we are encouraging them to call (police) if they have any questions. "