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Granny Doesn't Fall for Scammer's Tricks Save Email Print
Posted: 9:32 AM Dec 1, 2008
Last Updated: 9:32 AM Dec 1, 2008
Reporter: Josh Gauntt
Email Address: joshua.gauntt@wjhg.com


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Eighty-three-year-old Velma Roberts received a call on Thanksgiving. The caller said she was the winner of $5,000, but there was a catch.

"He said, ‘We have a certified check. We're going to bring out to you today, but we need you to put up $3,000,’ ” Roberts, a Bayou George resident, said.

That $3,000 was insurance for the $5,000 certified check. She told the man she didn't have $3,000 and the man asked, “How much money do you have?”

"I might get up $3.00 with my nickels, dimes, and pennies, but I said I don't have that kind of money," Roberts said.

Roberts said the man then told her she would only have to pay $1,500.

"I said, no, I don't hardly think so, that's a little bit too much money and I don't understand this. This is a gimmick and I am not going to fall for it! He hung up," Roberts said.

Roberts says she isn't letting anyone pull the wool over her eyes, especially if it's a scam, and often times the elderly are targets of these scams and become instant victims.

But for Roberts, she's a football watching granny who isn't falling for their tactics, and she says if she ever met these people face to face, watch out!

"Man, get out of my face. I don't want nothing to do with you. You're nothing but a scammer. Leave me alone," Roberts said.

So the lesson here, if someone calls you and what they're saying sounds too good to be true, odds are it probably is.


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Posted by: Jeff Location: Lynn Haven on Dec 2, 2008 at 07:18 PM
Next time, set up the meeting. Then, call the Sheriff's Office. Y'all can be waiting for the photo op when the con-man arrives. Oh, don't forget to call Channel 7 so you can get it on video.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 at 06:58 PM
OH My gosh! People are ruthless and rediculious these days!!!! it's bad enough they try and scam people, but a grandma? Whoa, well, what goes around comes around to the scam artist. eventually he or she will get whats coming

Posted by: GRANNY Location: PCB on Dec 1, 2008 at 10:29 AM
You go girl

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