Bail scam phone fraud bilks elderly grandmothers in CA

Woodland Police have received reports of two completed frauds and at least one attempt fraud, where elderly women have been duped into believing they are bailing their grandsons out of jail.  

The first incident occurred on 4-26-04 , at about 1725 hours.  A male caller, who identified himself as Ron Dickson, phoned a 75 year old Woodland resident and advised her that her grandson was in jail in Modesto for hit and run.  He correctly identified her grandson by name, and told her that she would have to wire $840 to bail him out.

During the course of the next three hours, the victim was called collect several times by a male who said he was her grandson, and who sounded sort of similar to him, pleading with her to bail him out.  She finally agreed.

 Another call was then received from a man using a Hispanic name.  He gave her information on how to phone Western Union to wire the money necessary to bail out her poor innocent grandson.  She did as she was instructed, using her credit card to pay for the transaction, which totaled over $900.  She then obtained the control number for the transaction, which she later gave to the “bail bondsman” when he called back.

The woman called her grandson later that night to make sure he had been released.  He told her that he had never been arrested in Modesto and advised her to immediately call the police.   

A second elderly Woodland grandmother reported being a victim of the same type of scam, and a third woman told the scam artist that her estranged grandson could remain in jail forever, before hanging up him.  She then decided it was a very suspicious call and notified police.

At this time, it is unknown if there is a connection between the women.

The Woodland Police Department reminds people to never blindly follow the directions of people who call them on the phone.  Someone calling to ask you to give money for a good or urgent cause, may be looking for your credit card information or the cash they can get you to send by Western Union .

Western Union does not require ID from anyone picking up money, if they have the control number.  It is nearly impossible to trace who picked up money from a Western Union outlet, especially those in large metropolitan areas.  

Remember:  When in Doubt, Check it Out!  

If someone calls you from jail, you can get the jail’s main number from the phone book or directory assistance and then call them yourself.  Or call a reputable bail bond company and they can confirm the incarceration for you.  

Similar scams are reported almost every day in California .  Many scams have victims use Western Union to wire money, so they can remain anonymous.  Never give a Western Union control number to someone you do not know.