Grandparent scams are a heartbreaking reminder that scammers often target those who have given us so much love and care. It is unsettling to think that a simple phone call can turn into a nightmare but knowing what to watch for can help protect our loved ones—and even ourselves—from falling prey to these schemes.

A Relatable Look at the Grandparent Scam

Imagine receiving a call from someone claiming to be your grandchild, sounding panicked and desperate. The caller explains that there has been an emergency—perhaps an accident or a legal issue—and urgently needs financial help. In that split second, fear can override caution, and you might feel compelled to act immediately. Unfortunately, this is exactly how the grandparent scam works.

According to the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, scammers often use a familiar voice to build trust and create a sense of urgency. As noted on their website:

“A phone call claiming to be from a family member who is in trouble is one of the hallmarks of this scam.” — Minnesota Attorney General’s Office

This quote perfectly captures the emotional manipulation at play. Scammers exploit the natural worry we feel for our family members, and the pressure to help can cloud even the most prudent judgment.

Why This Scam Feels So Personal

The tactic is deeply personal. By impersonating someone you know and love, scammers make you question every emotion tied to your family. They rely on the trust that comes with years of shared memories, only to twist that trust into a tool for exploitation. This is not just a technical fraud—it is a betrayal of the bonds that hold families together.

Steps to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones

If you or someone you know is on the receiving end of such a call, consider these tips:

• Take a Moment to Pause: Scammers thrive on urgency. If something feels off, give yourself time to think.
• Verify the Story: Call your grandchild or another family member directly. Use a known number—not one provided by the caller.
• Ask Specific Questions: Scammers might not know the tiny details that only a true family member would.
• Avoid Immediate Money Transfers: Do not send money via wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. These methods are difficult to trace and recover.

What to Do If You Are Targeted

If you suspect that you have been targeted by a grandparent scam:

• Contact Local Law Enforcement: Report the incident to your local police or sheriff’s department.

• Notify Financial Institutions: Inform your bank or credit card company if money has been sent.

• Reach Out for Guidance: Visit the Minnesota Attorney General’s website for more detailed information and additional resources.

Final Thoughts

Being vigilant and informed is the best defense against these scams. By understanding the tactics used by fraudsters, we can protect ourselves and our loved ones from emotional and financial harm. Remember, if something does not feel right, take a moment to verify the situation. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry.

References

Minnesota Attorney General’s Office. (n.d.). Grandparent Scams. Retrieved from https://www.ag.state.mn.us/consumer/publications/grandparentscams.asp

About four years ago, Paul Bothwell was watching the news and saw someone who donated 150 pounds of pop tabs to the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Rochester, MN. He thought to himself, “I can do that!” and a new endeavor began.

“His personality is one where he has to have a project, so this was his project,” Paul’s son Rick Bothwell stated. Not long after Paul decided to collect pop tabs, others started to hear about Paul’s ambitious plan. Moose Lake Area community members and businesses quickly joined Paul and also started to gather pop tabs. The project eventually became known nationwide! Pop tabs were shipped to Paul from multiple states including Florida, New York, Texas, Washington, and more.

Paul also started going to the recycling sheds around Willow River (now the Transfer Station) and in Moose Lake. He would go when they were open to pick off the pop tabs. He visited so often that he ended up getting hired by the Moose Lake Recycling Center! Each time he would visit the recycling center, he would walk out with a coffee can full of pop tabs.

The Ronald McDonald House holds a special place in the heart of First National Bank of Moose Lake. Over the years, multiple staff members have utilized their services.

Paul, Rick, and First National Bank of Moose Lake will be meeting with the Ronald McDonald team to weigh the pop tabs the last week of September 2024. This donation will go towards the five houses in the Upper Midwest, which includes Duluth and the Twin Cities.

If you would like to donate any pop tabs or other shelf-stable items for Paul’s big drop off, First National Bank of Moose Lake will continue to take donations and items can be dropped off at 400 Elm Ave in Moose Lake by Monday, September 23rd.

For more information about the Ronald McDonald House Charities located in the Upper Midwest, visit their website listed below.

www.rmhc-uppermidwest.org

Since the famous Hall of Bulls paintings in the caves of Lascaux, France, people have enjoyed peering into the past lives of our communities. Letters, journals, and unpublished manuscripts help us to better understand our Country and our life stories.

Daryl Tomczak brought in such a piece of his father Theodore Tomczak’s story into First National Bank of Moose Lake, a beautifully preserved Bank passbook. Daryl mentioned his sister Mary was the family historian and asked her to come by with a few pictures. Mary reached out and agreed to bring some photos to the Bank.

Mary walked into the Bank with a smile on her face and a bag held snugly in her arms, wrapping her father’s story safely against her. The bag contained photos in shades of grey, including one of Ted smiling in his new service uniform, documents with scalloped edges, his Bank passbook, and the vintage smell of the beloved items. Mary beamed, relaying details on the pictures.

We are sharing this story in memory of Ted, as Ted was born March 15^th. Happy Heavenly Birthday Ted!

Theodore Joseph Tomczak, known by his many friends as Ted, was 10 years old when he opened his First National Bank of Moose Lake account. His daughter Mary said Ted was a proud First National Bank of Moose Lake customer until his passing at the age of 86. Employees of our Bank team counted him as a solid lifelong friend.

Being in business for over 100 years creates many opportunities for stories and fond memories in our community. We are excited to create and share more memories over the next 100 years.

Ted’s Bank passbook, along with other treasured pieces of First National Bank of Moose Lake’s History can be viewed in our display case at 400 Elm Avenue Moose Lake, MN.

~Photos of Theodore “Ted” Tomczak courtesy of the Tomczak Family~

Photos courtesy of two of Ted’s Children, Mary and Daryl.

First National Bank of Moose Lake – Member FDIC.

Did you inquire or apply for a loan and now receiving multiple unwanted calls?

Unfortunately, often times individuals’ public information can be sent to brokers, agencies, institutions, etc. without your knowledge or your consent. We’ve investigated this and, yes, its legal. Here are options on how you can stop those calls:

1. Register at optoutprescreen.com. This will opt a consumer out of unwanted solicitations for five years and it costs nothing. It can take one to two weeks for it to take effect.
2. Sign up at Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov. This is also free and should take effect within 24 hours however you may have already ended up on a list prior to registering so you could receive calls for up to 31 days. A consumer can still receive calls for political reasons, from charitable organizations, survey calls, collection calls and some that labeled “information calls”.
3.  Sign up at DMAchoice.com. This will stop loan and other offers from coming to your physical mailbox. There is a $2 fee for this.

Please note, our Bank does not sell or give out your information to any third parties. Please review our Privacy Policy for more information.