Marion County Attorney Ed Bull tells KNIA/KRLS news that a telephone scam is becoming more common locally. The caller will pretend to be an attorney stating that a grandchild has been arrested and needs money for court fees, fines or bail. The “attorney” then sends a paralegal or courier to retrieve the requested money. Bull says that these scam artists have likely done a lot of research and can be deceptive.

“They’re calling and saying ‘Your grandchild has been arrested.’ The more sophisticated version of the scam is when a child-like sounding adult is calling and saying ‘Hey Grandpa, it’s me.’ Instinctively, the grandparent asks if it’s the name of one of his grandchildren. Then they know your grandchild’s name.”

Bull urges everyone to talk to elderly family members about this scam and not let anyone become a victim of it.