Crime Alert: Upper Moreland PD warns of phone scam targeting senior citizens

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February 3rd, 2023 | By Ryan Genova

The Upper Moreland Police Department recently posted a Crime Alert encouraging residents to be aware of a phone scam that has been targeting senior citizens.

From Upper Moreland PD’s announcement:

The Upper Moreland Police Department has seen an uptick in phone scams that traditionally targets the senior citizen community. The victim receives a phone call from someone claiming to be a grandchild that has been arrested or injured. The caller asks the victim to wire them money or obtain gift cards to get them released on bail or for medical bills. In the most recent cases, the caller puts another person on the phone claiming to be a defense attorney to make the story more believable. 

Obviously, getting a phone call that a family member is hurt or in trouble is emotional and most want to jump into action to help our loved ones. Please talk to your family members, friends, and neighbors to be weary of this scam before they become a victim. Here’s a few tips to keep in mind:

  • A jail or hospital will NEVER ask for gift cards or a wire transfer for payment. 
  • Phone numbers can easily be “spoofed”, meaning the scammers can manipulate what number pops up on a caller ID. The call may appear to be coming from a jail, hospital, attorney, etc. 
  • Most of the time, scammers take a shot in the dark, meaning they give vague details like “This is your grandson” without giving specific information and hope to make the correct connection with the caller. If a “grandchild” calls and asks for money, ask them to answer a personal question only the real person would know. 
  • Try making contact with the person alleging to be in trouble. Most of the time, there is no issue. 
  • When in doubt, call 9-1-1 and have an officer verify the phone call. 
  • NEVER EVER GIVE ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION INCLUDING BANKING INFORMATION, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS OR CREDIT CARD NUMBERS! UMPD is committed to protecting our elderly community.

    If you would like to schedule your group for a presentation about crimes targeting the elderly, please contact Sergeant Pam Cordura at pcordura@uppermoreland.org.