Type:Alert Mary Cranston, Alerts Coordinator, information from resident's child Grandparent Scam 1/20/2012 Neighborhood Watch recently received a report of another victim of the Grandparent Scam.   The scam preys on seniors and plays on their emotions and fears to create a sense of urgency and emergency to save their loved ones. The scammer calls and pretends to be one of their grandchildren.   They make leading statements to elicit a name, then adopt the name.  The scammer states he has been jailed in a foreign country as a result of an innocent auto accident and will not be released until the auto damage has been paid.  The scammer cries and is in fear for his life and begs for help.  He has just a short time to explain the situation and tells the grandparent where to Western Union wire transfer the money, usually just under $3,000.  He cries and pleads not to tell his parents.  Then the call is ended.   The victim was scared and due to the urgency of the situation rushed to the bank, withdrew the money and wire transferred the money as directed.  The scammer called again the next morning to confirm receipt of the money and asked for more money.  This time it was to pay for medical treatments he received in the hospital due to the accident.  This time there was discussion about whether or not this could be a scam and for some reason the emotion of fear overruled the logic and a second transfer was made without alerting family.  It wasn't until the third transfer was requested that the banker told them he thinks it is a scam and told them to tell the scammer to call at the bank.  No further calls were received from this scammer after that.      These Scam artists are very convincing, and in some cases, may have some of your personal family information.  We suggest that if you are contacted by person(s) who claim to be related "asking for money", ask them questions that will prove or disprove their validity. When in doubt get a call back number, hangup, and contact someone you trust to evaluate the circumstances of the call.  Never, never give out your personal information to strangers.   Make a report to the Lincoln Police Dept. Emergency call 911 Non-emergency 645-4040 Barry Johnson Neighborhood Watch Police Liaison