TIFFIN, Ohio (WTVG) -- September 9th is Grandparents Day, but that's not stopping scammers from targeting the elderly.
Ohio Attorney General Mike Dewine says at least 50 people have lost money in a phone scam directed at grandparents. The the average loss is $5,000, but some are reporting losses of $10,000 or more.
13abc reported the scam making the rounds through Tiffin in August. Several older residents told officers they were getting calls from people alleging to be their grandchildren on vacation.
The callers are said they needed money to get out of jail or to fix a car that broke down. All of them asked for money to be wired.
Investigators say the scammers are even searching social networking websites, trying to find out when users are on vacation and who their grandparents are.
So, what should you do?
The state attorney general recommends:
- Never wire money to someone who calls unexpectedly, even if the caller claims to be a relative.
- Ask the caller questions only a family member would know.
- Be careful about information posted online, such as travel plans.
If you think you've been the victim of the scam, contact the attorney general at 1-800-282-0515 or log onto www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:18 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:18:27 GMT
The Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters released its 2013 award winners on Sunday.13abc was honored with five AP awards.1st Place - Best Producer: Shelly Gorringe1st Place - Outstanding Sports Operation1st
The Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters released its 2013 award winners on Sunday. 13abc was honored with five AP awards.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:42 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:42:35 GMT
On Monday, we'll likely climb to 88 degrees. If we reach 88 on Monday, it would become our warmest day since August 31st, when we reached 93 degrees. Monday's record high is 92 degrees, from May 20th of 1962.
On Monday, we'll likely climb to 88 degrees. If we reach 88 on Monday, it would become our warmest day since August 31st, when we reached 93 degrees. Monday's record high is 92 degrees, from May 20th of 1962.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:05 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:05:59 GMT
Owens Community College graduated more than 50 students Sunday who earned their GEDs.The students celebrated receiving their high school equivalence diplomas.Several students served as keynote speakers.
Owens Community College graduated more than 50 students Sunday who earned their GEDs.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:00 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:00:24 GMT
Walkers and runners turned out at Olander Park in Sylvania on Sunday for the "Beat the Wheat" 5K.The event raises awareness of and money to fight Celiac Disease. Celiac Disease in an autoimmune condition
Walkers and runners turned out at Olander Park in Sylvania on Sunday for the "Beat the Wheat" 5K.
Sunday, May 19 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-05-19 22:45:43 GMT
A group of Coast Guard members are traveling across the country to visit veterans, and they've doing it all by golf cart.Sunday, they rode into Toledo and the local Coast guard held a barbecue for the
A group of Coast Guard members are traveling across the country to visit veterans, and they've doing it all by golf cart.
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:52 PM EDT2013-05-20 00:52:38 GMT
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) - Police in a northeast Ohio community report a number of black bear sightings. Police in Liberty Township near Youngstown say they have received several calls regarding bears in
Police in Liberty Township near Youngstown say they have received several calls regarding bears in the area in recent days.
Sunday, May 19 2013 6:04 PM EDT2013-05-19 22:04:44 GMT
COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - Authorities in southeastern Michigan ay a man stole a car with a 74-year-old disabled woman in the passenger seat, took her money and then fled on foot. The Oakland County
Authorities in southeastern Michigan say a man stole a car with a 74-year-old disabled woman in the passenger seat, took her money and then fled on foot.
Sunday, May 19 2013 4:11 PM EDT2013-05-19 20:11:36 GMT
Police are on the lookout for a man accused of hitting and seriously injuring a Sheriff's deputy with his car.Police say Josh Baldridge hit a Knox County, Ohio deputy early this morning.Baldridge is driving
Police are on the lookout for a man accused of hitting and seriously injuring a Sheriff's deputy with his car.
Sunday, May 19 2013 3:50 PM EDT2013-05-19 19:50:15 GMT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The state of Ohio has received a $2.1 million federal grant to improve criminal background checks for those home health care workers who directly serve the disabled and elderly. The
The state of Ohio has received a $2.1 million federal grant to improve criminal background checks for those home health care workers who directly serve the disabled and elderly.
Sunday, May 19 2013 3:41 PM EDT2013-05-19 19:41:11 GMT
CLEVELAND (AP) - Police made regular crime runs to the Cleveland street where three women were held captive in a house over a decade before escaping.Since the 2002 abduction of the first victim, Michelle
Police made regular crime runs to the Cleveland street where three women were held captive in a house over a decade before escaping.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:08:35 GMT
EDMOND, Okla. (AP) - A powerful storm system rumbled through the Plains and upper Midwest on Sunday, spawning tornadoes that damaged homes and buildings near Oklahoma City and put the Tulsa area on high-alert. There
A powerful storm system rumbled through the Plains and upper Midwest on Sunday, spawning tornadoes that damaged homes and buildings near Oklahoma City and put the Tulsa area on high-alert.
Sunday, May 19 2013 5:19 PM EDT2013-05-19 21:19:25 GMT
Police are still searching for the suspects that shot and killed James "Jimmy" Safadi in his Waterville home early Saturday morning. About 6 a.m. Saturday, detectives say the three suspects described as
Police are still searching for the suspects that shot and killed James "Jimmy" Safadi in his Waterville home early Saturday morning.
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:53 PM EDT2013-05-20 01:53:46 GMT
WASHINGTON (AP) - A top White House adviser insisted Sunday that President Barack Obama learned the Internal Revenue Service had targeted tea party groups only "when it came out in the news" while Republicans
A top White House adviser insisted Sunday that President Barack Obama learned the Internal Revenue Service had targeted tea party groups only "when it came out in the news."
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 00:56:32 GMT
DAMASCUS, Va. (AP) - Authorities believe the driver who plowed into dozens of hikers marching in a Virginia mountain town parade suffered from a medical condition and did not cause the crash intentionally,
Authorities believe the driver who plowed into dozens of hikers marching in a Virginia mountain town parade suffered from a medical condition and did not cause the crash intentionally.
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:52 PM EDT2013-05-20 00:52:38 GMT
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) - Police in a northeast Ohio community report a number of black bear sightings. Police in Liberty Township near Youngstown say they have received several calls regarding bears in
Police in Liberty Township near Youngstown say they have received several calls regarding bears in the area in recent days.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:42 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:42:35 GMT
On Monday, we'll likely climb to 88 degrees. If we reach 88 on Monday, it would become our warmest day since August 31st, when we reached 93 degrees. Monday's record high is 92 degrees, from May 20th of 1962.
On Monday, we'll likely climb to 88 degrees. If we reach 88 on Monday, it would become our warmest day since August 31st, when we reached 93 degrees. Monday's record high is 92 degrees, from May 20th of 1962.
Sunday, May 19 2013 5:01 PM EDT2013-05-19 21:01:49 GMT
Before any boating trip comes the preparation. Sunday's warm up gave some a chance to get their boats ready. "We just really enjoy boating," said Ron Roop who's been boating for thirty years. "This is
The U.S. Coast Guard urges boaters to take extra time to make sure they have all of the safety equipment required before taking their boats onto the water.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:18 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:18:27 GMT
The Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters released its 2013 award winners on Sunday.13abc was honored with five AP awards.1st Place - Best Producer: Shelly Gorringe1st Place - Outstanding Sports Operation1st
The Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters released its 2013 award winners on Sunday. 13abc was honored with five AP awards.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:05 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:05:59 GMT
Owens Community College graduated more than 50 students Sunday who earned their GEDs.The students celebrated receiving their high school equivalence diplomas.Several students served as keynote speakers.
Owens Community College graduated more than 50 students Sunday who earned their GEDs.
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