YAKIMA - That so-called "grandson scam" that operates out of Canada has surfaced in Yakima. At least Five elderly victims in less than two months have been called to wire a lot of money to Canada. Fortunately for them, all the victims ended ended up at the same place. Wray's Food and Drug on Summitview.

Chris Friesz is the Customer Service Manager at Wray's, " I don't want to see them lose money. They're losing 2-thousand and over. The most recent it was almost 3-thousand.

Dale said he knows he's the target of scammers, " I think they prey on older people and the percentage that they'll get somebody who will feel sorry and do it. And it's a shame that this happens."

The scam goes like this: The grandparent gets a call from an hysterical grandson or granddaughter saying they're in jail in Canada and needs help. They ask them to wire money so they can get out, but not to tell anyone else in the family.


These are the targets. Yakima's senior citizens. But now they've got more than an advocate on their side, they've got someone willing to go the distance to get their money back.

" Usually the money is gone by the time they call the people back, but fortunately we've been able to stop all five of them," said Friesz.

Chris does that by convincing her customers to call their son or daughter to confirm the grandchild is in trouble in Canada. And she refuses to send their money until they make those calls. If they're still not convinced by the time they leave, Chris extends that blanket of protection even further.


" We call neighboring areas and let them know that we have a customer, and give a description, and tell them to be real cautious with it, we think they're being scammed. We try to put the news out to them to help stop it all," said Friesz.

There have been a few that she just couldn't convince and they lost their money. Which is why she wanted to share her story with us. To remind everyone that the scammers are still out there. Anne knows they are, " I'm very cautious when I answer the phone."

That's what Chris is hoping to hear from more of her senior customers, " Oh it's awesome, it's awesome.