Too often, we hear about people being asked to wire money or buy gift cards to take care of an issue.
It sounds legitimate, but turns out to be a big scam. And they lose a lot of money.
That's NOT what happened inside a Target store recently.
Karen Rodder was standing near the gift card display when she says she overheard a conversation. It was a Target employee talking to a woman named Helen.
Helen was there to buy $1,000 worth of gift cards. Her grandson had called her and said he was in trouble and he needed the money to post bail and get out of jail.
Karen heard the Target employee try to convince Helen it was a scam. But it sounded like Helen wasn't buying it, and instead would be buying the gift cards.
That's when Karen stepped in and had a conversation with her. Karen says she told Helen that it's a well-known scam.
And that's what it took. Helen put the gift cards down and called police.
Her grandson was fine. And she thanks the people at Target, and especially Karen, for stepping up and getting involved.
It's a great story and a good reminder -- talk with family members, especially seniors, about this one.
Come up with a family word that must be said so you can prove who is really calling.
For store clerks and other customers, it's great to keep an eye out and question something that seems unusual.
I've seen too many people get taken for too much money this way.
