Attorney General Kelly Ayotte announced today that consumers should be aware of a scam targeting "grandparents". The con artist calls senior citizens claiming to be a grandchild visiting Canada or another foreign country and urgently in need of bail money.

Recently, a New Hampshire couple received a phone call from an individual claiming to be their grandson who had been arrested while visiting Canada. The caller indicated he needed $4,500 wired to Canadian authorities immediately in order to be released on bail.

Attorney General Ayotte advises New Hampshire consumers to be suspicious of any such calls received "out of the blue" requesting money be wired. Requests to wire money to another country is a usually a red flag of a scam. If you receive a similar call, quiz the caller for details that only your grandchild would know, such as family members' names or addresses.

Before sending money, verify your grandchild's whereabouts with other family members and/or call your local police.

"Consumers are urged to be cautious about wiring money to anyone," said Attorney General Ayotte. "Never wire money unless you are absolutely sure to whom you are sending the money. Wire transfers are like sending cash. Once the con artists have your money there's little chance it will be recovered."

New Hampshire consumers with questions or complaints about this or other scams, or wish additional information, can visit the Bureau's Web site at www.doj.nh.gov/consumer or call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-888-468-4454 (toll free).