Oregon Public Broadcasting

Some Idaho seniors are targets of a what's dubbed the “Grandparent Scam”. The Idaho Attorney General’s office reports a growing number of complaints about this new telephone scam. 

The Oregon Attorney General's office has gotten a couple of similar complaints this year.

The typical conversation in the “Grandparent Scam” involves someone calling from out of the country -- mainly Canada -- claiming to be a grandchild in trouble. 

The grandparent is urged to wire money to help get the caller out of jail or repair a car.  But the Idaho Attorney General’s office says it often turns out to be a cynical hoax.

Deputy Attorney General Bret De Lange says anyone who receives such a call should be skeptical.

Bret De Lange: “If someone says this is your grandson, say well, let me call your parents, and I'll get back to you. You call the parents and find out what's really going on, or some other family member”

In such circumstances, no one should give out credit card or bank information over the phone.  And De Lange says wire transfers are like cash -- virtually impossible to recover once they have been sent.