Recently Bob Meckley, 89, a resident at Country Meadows of York-South, was in his apartment reading the newspaper when the telephone rang. As he answered, a voice cried out,
“Dad, it’s Mike!”
And just like that, Meckley was ensnared in a telephone scam.
Confused by the unfamiliar voice, Meckley asked which Mike, referring to his friend or his youngest son.
“It’s your son. My nose was broken in an automobile accident, and I’m in jail,” the voice replied.
The urgent, muffled voice hurriedly told Meckley to write down a case number saying he couldn’t stay on the line but his attorney would call. Within minutes a call came from a man with a calm, authoritative voice who said he was Jason Cooper, an attorney with the public defender’s office. He asked Meckley for the case number, and Meckley could hear typing as the “attorney” looked it up on his computer and provided more details about the case. Meckley was shocked to learn his son failed a breathalyzer test and would need to post bail. A third caller, a friendly “bail bondsman” ultimately took Meckley’s credit card number and some other personal information.
I received the same type of call from my Grandson, I am so thankful that this was posted on the internet. It saved me $4,600. I initially believed the scam and actually got the money but I googled Jason Cooper and thankfully did not send the money.. Later that day I was able to get ahold of my Grandson who was safely at work when this was happening. NEVER agree to send cash to anyone!!!
Relieved to hear you avoided a bad situation. If only everyone could be so lucky. That’s why we (and this resident) feel so compelled to share the story to educate all ages this situation can happen to anyone. Thank you for sharing your experience.
My mother in law just got the same call from a man saying he was my son and needed help; then a “Jason Cooper” public defender in Queens NY said that my son was in an auto accident with a broken nose and needed stitches in his lip. He also said that my son was “in custody” and they needed to verify his identity and would call back. We asked if there was an officer we could speak with and he said he was in the courthouse and no police were there. When asked why he was in a courthouse if he needed medical attention and why there were no police present the man put us on hold. We called back and he put us on hold with music in the background. In the meantime we were able to verify that my son was not in NY at all and was at the gym. Thankfully his vigilant grandmother asked us about it before agreeing to send any money or give this scammer any other information.
Shari,
What a harrowing experience! How fortunate she was attentive and on guard. Glad it ended well and for sharing your experience.
Same thing happened to us concerning our grandson. Car accident. Nose injury. Fortunately our son called the school and he was there. SCAM
So happy you weren’t caught up in a scam. There are so many scammers out there these days.
I got this exact same phone call today (4/6/2021) regarding my son who is away at college. My sons appointed attorney was a John Rodriguez (instead of a Jason Cooper) Sadly, I am now minus $9,000 because they caught me at a weak moment and my mind could just not slow down and process this information. It is a sad, sad world we live in today. These criminals need to be found and prosecuted.
Why is this permitted? Where are our lawmakers and DA’s? Why are they not hunting these predators?
Calls such as these are illegal under the enforcement of the Federal Trade Commission but the problem is pervasive. Educating yourself and your loved ones is the first step to avoiding a bad situation.
I got the same call , telling me he was in an accident and the police thinks he’s drunk!!!
I then told him that my son is in Heaven…..he quickly hung up🤬
We are so sorry you went through that, thank you for sharing your experience.
I received this type of call today. My son was in the accident and had a broken nose, bleeding from nose and mouth, bad lacerations to other parts of his body. The woman driving the other car was pregnant and taken to the hospital. DUI and refused testing. According to the caller (Mark Stevens) an attorney, my son would be held in jail until bond was posted. The amount was 9,500. The lawyer provided a case number and would call me on his cell phone as the connection was muffled and I could barely hear him. I questioned him about what law office he worked for, why the courthouse did I not directly call, initial appearance time with the court, etc.. He became very frustrated with me and decided I was not going to continue the call. I said I could not be of ‘ more help’ unless the court/ police department, etc. were the only contacts and bail posting sources. I ended the call by hanging up.
That experience sounds harrowing. We are so glad you were able to remove yourself from the situation without any losses.
My mother had this happen to her this earlier this week. Same scam and it is now October 2023. Fortunately my 16 year old grand daughter popped in on her (her school is near my mom’s apartment) and had a cooler head. I was supposed to have had an accident in Syracuse, NY but we live in NYC. My daughter first Life360’s me to verify my location in Manhattan and then called me to ask if I was ok. Had she not been around, my intelligent, professional and normally rationale mother told me she would have sent money. Ironically my mom’s mom was scammed of her life’s savings many years ago. My mom gave her a hard time then but is much more sympathetic to her situation now that it almost happened to her.
Scammers prey on powerful emotions like love and fear. We are so glad your family was able to support one another and maintain a level head.