Today, my 84-year-old neighbor received a call from the Dominican Republic claiming her grandson had been in an accident and — if bail in the amount of $1,000 dollars was not paid — he would miss his flight home.
She was also instructed “not to tell mom” or contact anyone.
Needless to say, it upset her greatly.
This “hi, grandma” scam has been going on for a few years now.
As a warning to all seniors in Clallam County, never send money or any other form of funds to anyone without checking the parents of the child in question first.
It is much to the credit of Western Union that they would not allow the transaction without verbal verification which stopped it dead in its tracks. If not, there is no doubt she would have sent the money in spite of us assuring her it was a scam.
These people depend on raising an extreme emotional response to override common sense.
Please don’t fall victim to these scammers.
Bradd B. Smith,
Sequim