PETOSKEY -- The Petoskey Police Department is crediting some alert store employees at a local Rite Aid store for stepping in and stopping a 91-year-old woman from sending $6,000 to Mexico. Officials say it's a scam targeting the elderly in our area.
The Petoskey Department of Public Safety responded to the Rite Aid store located on W. Mitchell St. Wednesday on a report of an elderly woman trying to Western Union a large amount of cash to Mexico. While speaking with the victim about the transaction, store employees Quinn Moore and Michelle Keiser became suspicious about the transaction and contacted public safety.
Officers arrived and spoke with a 91 year old resident of Petoskey. The victim advised that she received a phone call from her grandson requesting help, asking her to wire $6000.00 to help him in Mexico.
Petoskey Police Department Detective David Schultz says, "I get mad at the criminals for picking on people like her, they are the people that need to be protected."
This scam is very common and is referred to as a “grandchild in distress” scam. In this con, criminals call elderly people and pretend to be a grandchild or other family member in need of help. Typically the caller claims to be in some sort of legal trouble and requests a large amount of money wired to them. Victims often fall prey to these types of scams resulting in devastating financial losses for the victims.
This fraud was stopped by store employees who took an interest in their customer, and when things didn’t seem right made the decision to delay the transaction and contact police for help. This simple step saved an elderly lady from losing her entire savings. Employees and businesses are encouraged to ask their customers simple questions when customers, especially the elderly, wish to conduct these types of large or unusual transactions.
Detective Schultz says, "I would like to see this as an example of the community looking out for the most vulnerable, the elderly."
For more information on the scams you can contact the Petoskey Police Department by CLICKING HERE.
You can also contact the Friendship Centers of Emmet County Council on Aging by CLICKING HERE.
To check out the full report, click on the video above.
