Phone scammers targeting seniors who are isolated from their families

DETROIT – Phone scammers are targeting seniors who are isolated from their families because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Care facilities in Metro Detroit have been noticing an influx of phone calls coming from strangers who are trying to form relationships with seniors at a vulnerable time.

A way to help prevent these scammers could be to give the care facility a list of who is able to contact the senior.

If your loved one has been scammed talk to them, the care facility and your local police department.

Watch the video above for the full report.


About the Authors:

Hank Winchester is Local 4’s Consumer Investigative Reporter and the head of WDIV’s “Help Me Hank” Consumer Unit. Hank works to solve consumer complaints, reveal important recalls and track down thieves who have ripped off people in our community.

Kayla is a Web Producer for ClickOnDetroit. Before she joined the team in 2018 she worked at WILX in Lansing as a digital producer.