The Rossmoor Community Services District and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department are warning its residents of what they are calling the “Grandparent” Scam.
They issued a notice this week to let everyone “be aware of” The Grandparent Scam, a common phone scam that “targets senior citizens” with calls from fraudsters that pose as a grandchild of the victim.
Purportedly, the scammers pose as a grandchild of the victim, calls the grandparent, claims to the in trouble and requests money.
The notice did not say whether or not the community has been affected by such scams and they also issued other tips to protect residents:
- Be suspicious of callers asking for money.
- Never purchase debit/gift cards to transfer funds.
- Develop a secret ‘password’ with family.
- Ask a question that a real grandchild knows.
- Verify the ’emergency’ by calling someone.
- Never send money to someone calling on the phone.
And, with the holidays rapidly approaching, chances are that residents are starting to order presents over the phone, via the Internet, or by mail. Most people have packages delivered straight to their front porch and the majority of deliveries do not require a signature and are generally left at your door, even if no one is home to accept them. According to the notice, this time of year brings out those looking for a crime of opportunity as well as those thieves that actually target your delivery. Thieves will follow or watch for the UPS, Fed Ex or other delivery trucks and then target a home after a delivery is made.
Here are the tips to help keep your presents safe from porch pirates:
- Install a security camera on your porch.
- Use your workplace as the shipping address
- Track your shipments by phone, on-line, or by carrier app so you know what day they should arrive
- Ask your neighbor to watch for your delivery and then hold the items until you arrive home
- Keep an eye on your neighborhood and report suspicious persons and vehicles sitting or cruising the area – See Something, Say Something!
- Request a signature delivery option, if available
- Have the shipment be held at the shipping facility such as a UPS office or an Amazon Pick Up Point
- Utilize “mailbox” businesses in your town and see if they will accept shipment of your item for a fee
- If you do not receive your shipment on time, check with the company of origin and confirm the delivery. If the item was delivered and you did not receive it, then report the theft or loss to the original company, the shipping company, and your local police.
