State police warn of two recurring scams | Crime

ALBANY (AP) - State police are warning the public about two scams that keep resurfacing. Both scams portray a victim who desperately needs money to get out of a jam, and ask that money be wired to them.

The Grandchild Scam usually targets the elderly. The caller says something like "It's me, grandma!" and claims to have been in an accident. The scammer asks for a large sum of money sent by Western Union.

The second scam, the Vacation Scam, usually involves an e-mail. The scammer hijacks someone's e-mail account and contacts everyone on the contact list asking for help getting back home from a vacation in Spain, England or Canada. They say all their money was stolen and they need money wired as a short-term loan.

If you think you have been conned out of money or even if it was only an attempt, troopers say to call your local law enforcement to report it.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)