Athens Woman Loses $24,000 in Scam Involving False Claims About Daughter

Athens Woman Loses $24,000 in Elaborate “Grandparent Scam”

A 72-year-old Athens woman fell victim to an increasingly common fraud scheme that preys on the fear that loved ones are in danger, resulting in a $24,000 financial loss.

The incident, which occurred on January 16, began when the woman received a distressing phone call from someone impersonating her daughter. According to a report filed with Athens-Clarke police, the caller claimed the woman’s daughter had been in a car accident and was subsequently jailed. The impersonator added that an attorney would soon contact the victim to arrange for the daughter’s release.

Shortly afterward, the promised call from the purported lawyer came through. Following instructions, the woman withdrew $12,000 in cash. As directed, she handed the money to an unknown woman who arrived at her east Athens subdivision home driving a red sedan.

The scam escalated when the fake attorney called again, claiming an additional $12,000 was needed. The victim complied, and soon after, a different individual driving a white Ford Escape arrived to collect the second payment.

It was only after parting with $24,000 that the woman decided to contact her daughter directly. To her dismay, she discovered her daughter was safe, had not been in any accident, and certainly had not been arrested. The victim went further to verify this information by contacting the Asheville Police Department and North Carolina State Highway Patrol, both of which confirmed they had no record of her daughter being involved in any incident.

This type of fraud, often referred to as the “grandparent scam,” has been circulating throughout Georgia and across the United States for years. It specifically targets older adults by exploiting their protective instincts toward family members, creating a false sense of urgency that overrides critical thinking.

The United States Postal Inspection Service, which tracks and investigates such scams, provides several preventative measures that could help others avoid similar situations. Their primary recommendation is to verify the story by ending the urgent call and directly contacting the family member in question or another relative who could confirm their whereabouts.

Experts also stress the importance of taking time to think before acting, particularly when money is involved. The Postal Inspection Service specifically warns against providing bank account or credit card information over the phone to unverified callers, regardless of how convincing they may sound.

Another red flag is the timing of such calls. Scammers frequently operate during late evening or early morning hours when older adults may be tired or less alert, making them more susceptible to manipulation.

This incident highlights the sophistication of modern scammers who not only create convincing scenarios but also orchestrate elaborate follow-ups, including sending people to victims’ homes to collect payments in person.

Law enforcement agencies across the country have reported an uptick in these types of scams, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic began, as criminals have adapted their techniques to exploit isolation and increased reliance on remote communication among vulnerable populations.

Authorities recommend that anyone who believes they’ve been targeted by such a scam should immediately report it to local police and the Federal Trade Commission, which tracks fraud patterns nationwide. Additionally, victims should contact their financial institutions as soon as possible to report unauthorized transactions, though recovery of cash payments is often difficult.

As these scams continue to evolve, public awareness remains one of the most effective defenses against fraudsters targeting older Americans’ finances and exploiting their concern for family members’ well-being.