Grandparent scam takes thousands of dollars from Valley woman

A Valley woman lost thousands of dollars after she was tricked into thinking she was coming to the rescue of her grandson.

"I said, well who is this, and he said well it's your grandson."

That's how the phone call began. And Gloria Menegay tells the ABC15 Investigators he wanted money. The grandson said he was in London for a friend's wedding. Then he said he was in an accident.

He didn't have money to pay for the damage to the car and wanted Gloria to send some.

Gloria wired $2,500 through Western Union.

But it was not her grandson. It was a scam and Gloria found out too late.

Not only did she wire the $2,500. The next day, the caller wanted another $3,600 and came up with other elaborate stories for more money. Gloria lost $11,000.

Western Union says they do have a fraud hotline and told the ABC15 Investigators they encourage consumers to report issues of fraud to us and to local law enforcement.

If you get a similar call, don't bite.

First, call a another family member to make sure the person really is where they say they are.

Also, develop a family word or phrase that has to be repeated in these situations.

That way you'll know it's a relative.