MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KKCO)_Jean Deroo is still shaken up about a phone call she received, “The phone rang, and when I answered it a very young sounding voice and she said ‘Hi grandma how are you?’” problem is- Jean hasn't spoken to her granddaughter in 10 years.

Deroo describes the conversation, “I said ‘Where are you?’ She said they had been to Niagara Falls. I said ‘Did you enjoy it?’ She said her friend is a stewardess and they got free miles so they took off and then they went to Canada. Then she said ‘And oh grandma- hate to tell you’… I said ‘What happened? What's the matter? She said ‘It's kinda a long story but I'll try to make it short.’”

But Deroo didn’t wait for the rest of the story and hung up.

Misty Bernal is The Community Outreach Rep. for Comfort Keepers. Bernal says it was a scammer on the other end of the phone trying to get money from Deroo.

“It's out there in different forms and the con artists don't care how they get the money or how it affects people's lives,” says Bernal. Bernal says this particular scam is referred to as the ‘grandparent’ or ‘emergency’ scam.

“They are really just asking how they’re doing and making them comfortable with the conversation then saying they’re in an emergency situation and need money wired,” says Bernal.

While Deroo didn't fall for the scam, it still took a toll on her, “Just the thought that they invade your privacy like this and that they know that much about you and prey on you being a grandmother. It was just too much. I was shook up for a couple of days,” says Deroo.

“For Jean it was a great ending because she hung up the phone. But for anyone that gets a call like that they need to turn conversation around and start asking questions only family would know and try to get phone number and then check with other family to see if it’s true before you make a decision,” says Bernal.

Bernal gives presentations to seniors about scams going around and was actually giving one at the Atrium where Deroo lives when Deroo was getting scammed. “I was so nervous and telling everyone about it but I think they thought it was a joke because here I was getting a call while they were having the presentation in the activity room,” says Deroo.

Bernal says getting the word out to seniors and arming with them with the facts is the only way to stop con artists. And when in doubt, just hang up the phone.

Comfort Keepers is having a lunch and learn Oct. 20 at Bookcliff Country Club.
The presentation will go over how to protect yourself emotionally and financially and is open to the public. Contact Comfort Keepers for more information.