My grandmother is 89, and two years ago was diagnosed with having onset dementia. Her memory is failing and she often forgets recent things, but repeats stories from decades ago. We know that her thought processes can fail and we try as much as we can to help her.
She came VERY close to losing over $4,500 (he wanted her CC info) from a scammer on the phone, because she can't think situations through clearly anymore.
A guy called her saying he was her grandson and when she asked which one, he replied with, "Your youngest!" He never said a name, but he continued on saying he was stuck in Mexico because he got into an accident with a rental car and didn't have insurance. He claimed that he wouldn't be able to leave the country until he paid the rental company $4,600.
She stopped herself from going to bank ONLY because she was worried my mom might be upset if she loaned my brother the money (her youngest grandson). When my mom picked her up to take her to her doctor appointment earlier, my grandmother said, "Your son called me to borrow money. He's stuck in Mexico."
Clearly, she believed the story, but didn't think loaning my brother the money was a good idea. My mom corrected her and let her know that not only was my brother NOT in Mexico, he would have called HER first in that kind of situation. But I really think she would have given out her information if she wasn't going to see my mom that day. She only waited because she was going to see her.
I'm certain this isn't a new scam, but it makes me SICK that people do this to our elderly.
She came VERY close to losing over $4,500 (he wanted her CC info) from a scammer on the phone, because she can't think situations through clearly anymore.
A guy called her saying he was her grandson and when she asked which one, he replied with, "Your youngest!" He never said a name, but he continued on saying he was stuck in Mexico because he got into an accident with a rental car and didn't have insurance. He claimed that he wouldn't be able to leave the country until he paid the rental company $4,600.
She stopped herself from going to bank ONLY because she was worried my mom might be upset if she loaned my brother the money (her youngest grandson). When my mom picked her up to take her to her doctor appointment earlier, my grandmother said, "Your son called me to borrow money. He's stuck in Mexico."
Clearly, she believed the story, but didn't think loaning my brother the money was a good idea. My mom corrected her and let her know that not only was my brother NOT in Mexico, he would have called HER first in that kind of situation. But I really think she would have given out her information if she wasn't going to see my mom that day. She only waited because she was going to see her.
I'm certain this isn't a new scam, but it makes me SICK that people do this to our elderly.