YORK — The York Police Department has issued a warning to residents about an increase in reports of a scam commonly known as “The Grandparent Scam.”
Authorities say scammers are calling individuals, disguising their voices to sound like a loved one, and claiming to be in urgent need of money.
The caller often pressures the victim not to hang up and provides instructions on how to send funds quickly through methods such as apps, cryptocurrency, gift cards, bank transfers, or cash.
The scammers may claim the loved one has been in a car accident, arrested, or owes money to someone.
Police emphasize that these calls can feel very real, especially with the use of advanced technology like AI to mimic voices.
The department advises residents to hang up immediately if they receive such a call.
They should then verify the situation by contacting the loved one directly using a known phone number, not the one provided by the caller.
“If your loved one truly needs help, they will understand your need to verify,” the department said in a statement. “Remember these two steps: hang up and verify.”
Authorities stress that there is no need to feel ashamed, as scammers target people from all walks of life.
The department urges the community to stay vigilant and share this information to help prevent others from becoming victims.
