The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office is issuing a warning to residents about a spate of online scams targeting the elderly. Several incidents reported this week led to significant financial losses for victims. One recent scam began with a computer notification falsely claiming a resident's computer had been hacked. This prompted the victim to contact the scammers under the guise of rectifying the situation. This led to the victim being convinced to withdraw cash and purchase gift cards, amounting to thousands in losses.
According to the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, the scammers have been making personal visits to collect the gift cards from the victims. In one incident yesterday on the 100 block of Balboa Ave. in El Granada, the elderly victim was instructed to meet with the supposed couriers at his home. One of the scammers was described as an Asian man in his early 20s with distinctive blonde or pink hair. This incident comes after a similar attempt earlier this week, in which a resident avoided falling prey by recognizing the scam and contacting authorities.
The Sheriff's Office has stressed the importance of vigilance. It has provided safety advice to help residents avoid these online pitfalls: never grant strangers remote access to your computer and be skeptical of any instructions to withdraw money or purchase gift cards. If you find yourself in a situation that raises suspicion, the Sheriff's Office advises to call law enforcement immediately.
