Couple out $8K after scammer pretends to be daughter in jail in need of bail

A couple is out more than $8,000, saying scammers tricked them into thinking their adult daughter was in trouble.

During this common con, you think a loved one is in trouble and needs money immediately, but it’s really someone using fear and pressure to swindle money out of you.

The Schwartz’s thought they got a call from their daughter. It sounded like her voice, and the person on the other end of the call claimed to be hurt and in jail. She said she needed them to send money to help her get out.

They ran to the ATM and sent over $8,200.

Father George Schwartz said, “She was panicking and crying and she said, ‘dad I hit another car I was in an accident and the lady in the other car was pregnant’.”

And you guessed it. Later, they messaged their real daughter and she had no idea what they were talking about.

If you get a call like this, the Better Business Bureau says, stop, take a deep breath, and think before you act.

Bryan Oglesby with BBB West Florida explained, “Just taking a few minutes to think it through and talk to other people will help save you and keep you from being a victim of this scam.”