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$12,500 Later: Glen Rock Man, 78, Falls For 'Grandson In Trouble' Scam

GLEN ROCK, N.J. -- A 78-year-old Glen Rock man fell victim to the "grandparent scam" when he wired $12,500 to a con artist, authorities said.

BEWARE: The "grandson in trouble" phone scam victimizes more people than you might think.

BEWARE: The "grandson in trouble" phone scam victimizes more people than you might think.

Photo Credit: CLIFFVIEW PILOT file photo

His bank recovered $8,000 -- leaving the victim out $4,500, Police Chief Dean Ackermann said Monday.

A caller claiming to be the victim's grandson told the victim that he'd been in an out-of-state crash and was being held on a DWI charges, Ackermann explained.

Another caller claiming to be a public defender said he needed the money to bail the "grandson" from jail, he said.

So the victim "wired a total of $12,500, as instructed," he said.

Detectives were investigating. But chances are most likely that the victim's money is gone.

Just two months ago, a Glen Rock woman nearly fell victim to a similar scam. She'd already bought gift cards, as instructed, but at the last minute called her grandson -- and discovered the scam.

SEE: 'Grandson In Trouble': Phone Scammers Nearly Con Glen Rock Grandma

https://fairlawn.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/grandson-in-trouble-phone-scammers-nearly-con-glen-rock-grandma/719180/

HERE's WHAT TO DO if you ever get a call from or about a grandchild or any other relative in danger or trouble and needing money:

Take a moment to calm yourself;

Say that you must consult another family member first;

Hang up and call a loved one.

Then call police.

"If the emergency is by any chance real, you can still respond appropriately," Ackermann said. "If it's not — and the odds point to that — congratulate yourself."

If you have elderly parents or other relatives, share this story with them. Warn them about the dangers and advise them on how to respond.

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ALSO SEE: Phone scams continue to claim victims — including a Ridgewood resident who wired $539 to someone who told her that she needed to do so to collect an “American National Award.” Here's how to school yourself.

https://ridgewood.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/school-yourself-loved-ones-on-various-phone-scams/627527/

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ALSO SEE: If you were conned into sending money to scammers using Western Union’s wire transfer service, you could get some of it back.

https://hackensack.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/sent-money-to-scammers-via-western-union-you-could-get-some-back/727182/

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