The Butler County Sheriff’s Department is warning the public of a scam that is targeting senior citizens in Butler County and north Iowa.
Butler County Sheriff Jason Johnson says some residents in Butler County have fallen victim to this scam, known as the “Grandparent Scam.” He says one of the most recent versions in the county included a scammer walking to a residence to pick up money.
In this scam, callers target older people by claiming to be a grandchild with an emergency need for cash. The callers try to convince their victims to immediately wire a large amount of money or provide a credit, debit or prepaid card number to help pay for a sudden personal crisis, such as a car accident, medical emergency or even bail money.
Criminals sometimes glean personal information, including friends or relatives, from social networking websites like Facebook. At other times, they trick their victims into revealing the information, including names.
The Iowa Attorney General’s Office reminds the public to talk with older relatives and friends about the “Grandparent Scam” and other scams that target older people. Victims of this scam should contact their local law enforcement agency and file a report.
