SCAM ALERT

NEWS RELEASE
Released by: Gordon J. MacDonald, Attorney General
Subject: Attorney General’s Scam Alert: Scammers Employing New Tactics in Perpetrating the Grandparent Scam
Date: Friday, November 6, 2020
Contact: Kate Spiner, Director of Communications
Kate.Spiner [at] doj.nh.gov / (603) 573-6103
Bryan J. Townsend II, Assistant Attorney General
Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Unit
Bryan.Townsend [at] doj.nh.gov / (603) 271-7094
Concord, NH -- Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald issues a scam alert for New Hampshire residents, especially its older adult population, concerning new and concerning tactics being employed by scammers in perpetrating the “Grandparent Scam.”
In a “Grandparent Scam,” a scammer calls or e-mails a victim posing as one of the victim’s relatives, typically a grandchild or child. The scammer posing as the relative then claims to be in trouble, often saying he or she has been arrested by law enforcement in another state or country. The scammer may also pose as a member of law enforcement and claim to have arrested or detained the victim’s relative. The scammer will instruct the victim to not tell anyone, often saying the victim is under a “legal gag order” to not speak about the incident.
In the past, these scammers would then seek to swindle money from the victims by requesting that the victim wire funds to a bank account or otherwise transfer funds electronically. However, New Hampshire residents have recently reported these scammers have arranged for the in-person pick-up of money or other valuable goods directly from the victim’s home. This represents a new and dangerous threat to New Hampshire residents.
The Attorney General reminds New Hampshire residents that legitimate law enforcement officials will never:
 Issue a “gag order” regarding the release of a relative over the telephone or by e-mail;
 Demand immediate payment over the telephone or by e-mail by wire transfer or in-person payment of cash or other valuables (such as gold) in exchange for the release of a relative; or
 Ask for your personal information in exchange for the release of a relative.