Thursday, Mar. 18 2010 6:21PM

LPSD warn of bail money scam

Emily Jarrett, Journal Staff

Lee’s Summit Police officers are warning Lee’s Summit residents of a bail money telephone scam that has been targeting elderly adults.

According to the LSPD, they have received several reports in the past month where a victim receives a phone call from a suspect stating they are the victim’s grandson or granddaughter. This person will then tell the victim they’ve been arrested in Canada and need bail money.

The calling suspect in each case has used the actual name of the victim’s grandchildren to entice them to wire money as soon as possible. In a few cases, the victim was contacted a third or fourth time building on the original story by the suspect asking for more money or stating there are additional problems. In each case, the suspect uses a story which will play upon a grandparent’s emotion. The amount asked for by the suspect is usually more than $2,000 and requested through Western Union. The suspect tells the victim they will call back later to get the wire transfer number.

Once the suspect has the transfer number, the money wired can be picked up at any Western Union outlet no matter where it was designated to be sent.

One victim was scammed for more than $4,500.

“Right now, we’re still unsure how the scammers got the victim’s information about their grandchildren,” said Mike Childs, public information officer. “We’re warning residents to think twice before they fill out any information about themselves that’s unsolicited.”

Though this particular scam primarily targets the elderly, the LSPD is warning every resident to guard against becoming a victim and to check with elderly family members. Families should also discuss a plan of action if such an ordeal was to occur. Ideas may be having a set code word used by family members over the telephone or redirecting the call to a family member better prepared to ask questions.

The reports indicate once the victim starts asking questions, the suspects will hang up or state they have a bad connection or other reason to disconnect the call. Ask for location information and telephone numbers but don’t rely on the information as fact. The suspects will provide telephone numbers, but most likely those numbers will be to accomplices ready to continue the scam.

If a resident receives a telephone call they believe is a scam, officers suggest telling the suspects they’re going to call other family members to confirm this story. However, officers warn, the suspects will anticipate this as well and ask that they not because of their embarrassment. It is through the questions asked and the follow up which has helped some residents from becoming a victim.

“This scam is not only targeting the Lee’s Summit area, but metro-wide,” Childs added. “Anyone who feels they’ve become a victim of this scam should contact their local police department as soon as possible.”

To report a scam, call the LSPD at 816-969-1700 or the Western Union Fraud Hotline at 1-800-448-1492.

To reach Journal reporter Emily Jarrett, call 816-282-7018 or e-mail ejarrett@lsjournal.com.