FRAUD: Put this 'grandson' in jail

I am 86 years old and appreciate the Coeur d’Alene Press providing information, over the past years, concerning scammers. I got a call Friday morning, according to my phone, from Annapolis, Md. Curious, I answered. It was a “grandpa help me” call.

This guy is getting better. I am sure he has called my home phone at least three times in the last year with only a slight variation in his story. I do have one grandson that we love because he keeps our computer all clean and running. He is an educated, NIC computer specialist. So when I hear “grandpa” just like my grandson says it, I listen for a moment. This scammer is getting better all the time. He even cried over the phone, needing money for his bail.

I know it is a sin, but I led him on a bit. When my curiosity was satisfied, I told him as I have three times before that he was a scammer and thief. He said “then you are not my grandpa” like he had the wrong number. Then he hung up.

I wonder why I still get this call. Same story, same voice, sometimes Chicago or St. Louis or Annapolis. Why my number for three times? Is this guy local and able to deceive the phone ID? He must be getting some old folks to send money because he has been at this for a year or two.

How can we band together and put this guy out of business?

ROBERT L. SHACKELFORD

Hayden