By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com If you love and care about your parents or grandparents, please make sure that you read this article to them, or give it to them.  It is crucial.  There are thieves and scam artists out there that are specifically targeting them.  And, in this author’s view, there is a halachic obligation to protect their finances. THE FIRST EXAMPLE Yes, there are people, vile and evil individuals, who specifically target the elderly.  They call a grandparent and tell them that their grandchild is in grave trouble, trouble that requires immediate cash.  And the problem is that they are very convincing. What loving grandparent wouldn’t do almost anything for a grandchild? The stories are believable, because, somehow, the fraudsters or thieves have obtained inside information about the grandchild or grandparent.  This bit of crucial information is then weaved into the story – or the tale that is spun. Sometimes, the thieves pretend to be the grandchild himself.  At other times, the thieves are a lawyer or representative of the grandchild.  The thieves are VERY SOPHISTICATED.  So, for one, when your Bubby or Zayde call –  make sure you answer the phone call immediately and tell them that you are alright.  And for two, go over the details of this article with them. THE SECOND EXAMPLE The second type of scam involves the grandparent’s use of their own computer.  They pretend that they are calling from a big company to arrange a refund.  The refund amount is small, but enough to make sure that the recipient not ignore it.  Let’s say that the refund amounts to $75.00. The scammer develops a relationship with the grandparent.  The scammer is very adept at saying that your grandmother reminds him of his very own grandmother, and how his own grandmother always made sure he had enough to eat. The scammer then takes over your grandmother’s computer in arranging the refund or credit.  This is fake.  It is a false banking screen. The scammer makes the grandmother type in the amount, the $75.00.  But then the scammer types in two extra zeroes.  The grandmother’s account is now credited with $7500. And now, the scammer, or the “employee” begs for his job.  He will now be fired if the amount of $7425 is not sent back to him immediately.  It must be cash and must be overnighted. And what honest grandparent will not send the money?  The “honest-sounding, loving person” with “many mouths to feed” – will be fired!  And it was your grandmother’s fault! HOW THEY OPERATE At all times, the request involves mailing cash or gift cards through Federal Express or some other service. They will use houses that they rent for just one day.  And they have a hired hand stay in that house to pick up the package.  Within an hour that person is gone. The thieves have a huge operation.  Some people are hired just to pick up clues.  That is all they do.  They track grandparents.  They track grandchildren.  This information is transferred to some sort of central headquarters where the operation is launched. THE HALACHA Yes, there is a Torah obligation upon all of us to prevent the proliferation of these schemers and rip-off artists within our community.  It is called the obligation to be […]

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