SCAM ALERT: New phone scam specifically targets grandparents

Scammers have sunk to a new low with this phone call specifically targeting grandparents around the world.

There have been reports of grandparents receiving calls from people pretending to be their grandchildren and asking for help and money.

The scammer usually starts the call by saying they are in trouble and need money to get out of a sticky situation.

Most grandparents would jump at the chance to help their grandkids so it’s easy to get them to agree to wiring money to a bank account.

One woman in America took her story to the media to warn other grandparents about the fake calls.

Kitty, who decided not to disclose her last name, told NBC she received a phone call from a young man she believed to be her grandson.

“’I’m calling you because I know you can keep a secret and I don’t want the rest of the family to know,’” said Kitty, recalling what the man on the phone told her.

Kitty said he told her he needed money quickly and he knew he could rely on her.

“I was helping my grandson,” said Kitty. “I truly love my grandson. I would do anything for my family.”

Over the next few days Kitty wired $5,250 to the man she believed to be her grandson before talking to her family and realising it was a scam.

Authorities are warning people be wary of similar calls, saying these kinds of scams are becoming more and more popular.

Mike O’Shaughnessy, President of Guardian Pro, a security consulting company says you should never react quickly when asked to send money to anyone and always verify the information first.

“These scams aren’t going to go away,” Mr O’Shaughnessy said.

“They’re going to get worse. They’re going to evolve. This grandparent scam has evolved over time. It’s going to continue to evolve. It’s us being aware. It really is. It comes down to people.”

Have you ever been the victim of a scam? Have you heard about these types of fake phone calls before?