Elderly Hingham Woman Loses $26k In 'Grandparent Scam'

HINGHAM, MA — An 87-year-old Hingham woman lost $26,000 in a common 'Grandparent Scam' Tuesday, Hingham police announced Wednesday.

The woman fell victim to the scam after answering a call from an unfamiliar caller, who claimed that her grandson had been in a car crash in Vermont and a pregnant woman was injured, police said.

The caller then claimed that her grandson had been arrested and needed help to pay his $26,000 bail, according to police.

The woman spoke to a person on the phone who she believed was a lawyer, who explained that she was under a gag order at the request of the judge and could not tell anyone what was going on, police said.

The 87-year-old then withdrew the cash from her bank and put it in a box, police said. At 6 p.m., a Black woman dressed in black arrived at the woman's home in a black car and picked up the money, according to authorities.

Hingham police said that while this same scam has been happening in Hingham for more than 20 years, this is the first time that the scammers actually came to the home to pick up the cash. Typically, the money is wired or photos of gift card numbers are sent to the scammer from another state, according to police.

Police are reminding residents to talk about this scam and how it works with their older parents or grandparents.

"These scammers are good at what they do and can only be stopped by being aware," said Lieutenant Steven Dearth.