A Yucca Valley couple is out $4,000 after they believed a scammer who said their grandson was in jail and needed money for bail. According to a Sheriff’s report, an unknown man called the couple and said he worked for a jail in Tacoma, Washington. The caller said their grandson had been arrested and needed $2,000 for bail. The grandfather bought $2,000 in Walmart gift cards. The caller called back and said he needed more money. The grandfather returned to Walmart and got another $2,000 in gift cards. The victims notified the Sheriff’s Department about 7 p.m. Monday that they had been scammed. In order to avoid being taken in by the scam, call your grandchild or his or her parents first on their phone to confirm whether the story is true. Refuse to send money through gift cards or a wire transfer. If you do fall for the scam, contact the Sheriff’s Department.
