Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station officials urge local residents to beware of the “grandparent scam,” in which callers pretend to be grandchildren in distress and in need of fast cash.

Here’s the story from the station’s social media:

We still hear of people in SCV receiving calls from callers pretending to be their grandkids.

“I’ve been arrested,” the fake grandson says, “and need money wired quickly to pay my bail. And oh by the way, don’t tell my mom or dad because they’ll only get upset!”

This is an example of what’s come to be known as “the grandparent scam,” a fraud technique that preys on the elderly, taking advantage of the ‘weak spot’ they have for their grandkids.

Thanks to Facebook and Twitter, a crook can sometimes find personal details about your relatives, which makes the impersonations more believable.

For example, the “real” grandson may mention on Facebook that he’s a photographer, and then he may have a post about taking a vacation to Mexico. Then, when the scammer contacts the grandparents, the phony grandson will say he’s calling from Mexico, where someone stole his camera equipment and passport.

How to Beat the Grandparent Scam
The lesson: If you ever get a call from or about a grandchild or any other relative in danger or trouble, and the immediate request is for cash, you need to:

1). Resist the pressure to act quickly. Try to contact your grandchild or another family member to determine whether or not the call is legitimate.

2). Never wire money based on a request made over the phone or in an e-mail – especially overseas. Wiring money is like giving cash. Once you send it, you can’t get it back.