Photo by Steve Johnson | Unsplash.com

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Late at night, while watching television at home, your cell phone suddenly lights up with a FaceTime call. On the screen, you see the tear-streaked face of your beloved grandchild, visibly distressed and pleading for your assistance. She explains that she’s in a foreign country in trouble, desperately needing money for bail. She implores you to keep this situation secret from her parents because she’s embarrassed and ashamed about her predicament.

Then a supposed lawyer joins in, emphasizing the situation’s urgency. You’re told that $50,000 is needed for bail within two hours or your grandchild will face conviction and imprisonment. The attorney directs you to a nearby ATM offering cryptocurrency.

Despite the late hour and mounting financial strain, you reluctantly comply, maxing out credit cards to ensure the funds reach the individual promising to secure your grandchild’s release from their perilous situation.

The following day, you call your children to let them know what you have accomplished to keep your granddaughter safe. They reply, “Of course she’s safe: She’s here right now!” A tide of confusion and fear washes over you.

Scammers specialize in preying on our emotions. When you receive an email or text message from a friend or relative requesting financial assistance, it’s crucial to pause and consider: Is the person on the other end truly who they claim to be?

These scams often start with a phone call, video call or email. The caller might claim to be a family member facing legal trouble, medical emergencies, or unexpected travel expenses. They’ll insist that you keep their request for help a secret.

They’ll often request payment through wire transfers, cash pick-ups or even gift cards. These payments are hard to trace and nearly impossible to recover.

Warning signs

Look out for inconsistencies in the caller’s story, such as changes in details or vague information about their identity.

Take the time to verify the caller’s identity by asking personal questions that only the actual family member would know. If you have any doubts, contact the alleged victim or another family member to confirm the situation. It’s smart to establish a “safe word,” or verbal password, with your family to signal the legitimacy of a call.

Staying calm and collected is crucial. Resist the urge to act impulsively. Take a moment to think critically and assess the situation before making any financial transactions.

Unfortunately, with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), scammers can sample the internet for short clips of family and friends on social media to create convincing deceptions. Be cautious of unexpected video calls or messages that seem out of character, and always verify the caller’s identity before taking any action.

What to do if you’ve been scammed

If you or a loved one falls victim to one of these scams, report the incident to local law enforcement and provide as much detail as possible about the scammer. If you you’ve been the victim of a fraud like this, call your local police department’s non-emergency number.

If money was transferred, contact the bank or financial institution to report the fraudulent transaction. Organizations specializing in fraud and scams can help you navigate the aftermath. For further information, see montgomerycountymd.gov/pol/fraud/reporting-fraud.html.

To learn more about preventing fraud, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/pol/fraud/financial-crimes-section.html.

If your Montgomery County religious, social or civic group wants a free presentation on how to avoid scams, contact the county police department at (301) 279-8000.

Walt Houser is a volunteer with the Montgomery County Police Department.