3 On Your Side: Common Scam Costs Grandmother Thousands Of Dollars
By Jim Donovan
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It's a common scam, impacting people all over the country.
3 On Your Side has the story of a Delaware County woman who lost thousands of dollars. Now she's sharing her story so others don't fall victim too.
As 88-year old Gloria Tatasciore flips through family photos with her son, it's clear nothing means more to her than her children and grandchildren.
So when she got a phone call from her grandson asking for help she didn't hesitate. Although she did ask why he sounded funny.
"He said, well if you saw me, you'd know why. I was in an accident and the airbag hit my face," said Tatasciore.
Then he told her he needed money.
"I said how can I send you money? He says 'well, go buy me some iTunes gift cards.' I said 'what?" said Gloria.
She didn't know how that would help. But she was worried and purchased numerous iTunes cards totaling $7,000.
He called back and she read him the numbers off the back of the cards.
"I mean I just thought I was doing the right thing, helping him, that's all I can say," said Tatasciore.
But she wasn't helping her grandson. She was helping a scam artist.
"I've been a mess ever since. How could I let myself be so stupid?" said Tatasciore.
Mariel Lorenz, with senior advocacy group CARIE, says victims shouldn't feel that way.
"Scammers find new ways to get people to buy into the story. Even if its the same story, there's new twists that come into play," said Lorenz.
She says before you react and do something that you may regret later take a minute to think about it.
"Don't be afraid to you know hang up the phone, take a deep breath and maybe call a relative, son or daughter or that grandchild themselves just to make sure that you know, they're okay," said Lorenz.
Gloria wants people to hear her story so they don't become a victim, too.
"If I know that I helped at least, just one grandmother not go through this ordeal, I will be thankful. And I'm glad to try to help that's all," said Tatasciore.
Anyone with an elderly grandparent, friend or loved one needs to talk to them about this scam. This way they'll know what to look for and won't fall for it.