Lititz Borough – The LBPD would like to notify residents of a rash of scams that has been occurring in Lititz Borough and throughout Pennsylvania. The “grandparent bail scam” has been targeting elderly victims and the scam are all nearly identical. The scam occurs in this manner; An unknown male or female suspect contacts the victim via telephone and claims to be a relative (niece, nephew, granddaughter, grandson, etc.) in distress, typically purporting to either be in jail or facing jail time as the result of an at-fault traffic crash. Often times additional details are added to the story. The suspect then requests a substantial amount of “bail money.” The bail amounts vary and the suspects “lawyer” will get the “bail” reduced if the amount is too much for the victim to afford. Once the amount of bail is agreed upon the victim is instructed to provide the “bail bondsman” or “courier” with the money. The suspect posing as this “bail bondsman” or “courier” typically arrives at the victim’s residence and parks their vehicle down the street from the residence. The suspect then approaches the Victim’s residence on foot wearing some sort of face covering. The suspect then takes possession of the victim’s payment.
This scam has been occurring for several years but it appears to have once again increased in popularity. The LBPD would like to remind residents of ways they can avoid being scammed;
- First, recognize a scam when you hear it. The phone call…
