Granchild Swindlers Outsmart Granite Through Deception Techniques
Getting unexpected calls, texts, or emails about a family member or friend in an emergency can throw you off guard, especially if money is involved. Be vigilant, especially if they demand a "bail."
The General Public Prosecutor's Office in Berlin warns that if the word "bail" comes up during the conversation, it's likely a scam. Now, con artists are using artificial intelligence to imitate voices in shock and help calls. The Bremen Consumer Center alerts us that they can create deepfakes of a person's voice via social networks.
Fraudsters aim to catch people off guard, instill fear, and pressure them into acting quickly. To avoid becoming a victim, follow these tips from police crime prevention:
- ID Check: Never assume who's calling. Always ask for identification. Don't share personal, family, or financial details.
- Questioning: If someone claims to be a relative or friend but behaves strangely, ask them questions only they'd know.
- Cool Down: Don't let the situation pressure you. Take time to verify the information and ask questions. If you're unsure, hang up and call them back using a known number.
- Double-check: Whenever someone demands money or valuables, discuss it with family or close contacts first. Large sums are safer in a bank safe deposit box. Never hand over money or valuables to an unknown person, not even the police. If a call seems suspicious, jot down the number and immediately report it to the police at 110.
If you've been caught by a "grandparent scam," report it to the police. This could help authorities identify patterns and catch the scammers.
Here are four steps to prepare yourself and others for future critical situations:
- Code Word: Agree on a code word with relatives and friends for call verifications.
- Opt out of the phonebook: You don't need an open phonebook for your contacts to find you. Opt out, or abbreviate your name if you must stay listed.
- Warn others: Inform your relatives and friends about these scams so they don't become victims again.
- Block unwanted numbers: You can block suspicious numbers on your smartphone or report them to the Federal Network Agency via email or an online form. Enable "Mute calls from unknown numbers" on WhatsApp for added protection.
Take these simple steps to secure yourself and stay safe from scammers. Be cautious, verify calls, and stay vigilant.
[1] T-Mobile Scam Shield: https://www.t-mobile.com/resources/scam-shield[2] Two-Factor Authentication: https://www.identityforce.com/resources/blog/what-is-two-factor-authentication-2fa[3] AT&T ActiveArmor: https://about.att.com/story/att-activearmor-security.html[4] Truecaller: https://www.truecaller.com/[5] Deepfake detection: https://www.id.me/blog/deepfake-tips/
- Technology plays a significant role in the ever-evolving tactics used by scammers, with artificial intelligence now imitating voices and creating deepfakes on social networks.
- To stay updated on general news and prevent becoming a victim of such scams, it's essential to follow reliable sources on crime and justice, including the Bremen Consumer Center and the General Public Prosecutor's Office in Berlin.
