WHAT LOVING GRANDPARENT WOULD NOT ANSWER A CRY FOR HELP from a frightened, desperate grandchild?

THAT’S WHY “THE GRANDPARENT SCAM” HAS BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL the past few years and that’s why the U.S. State Department keeps issuing warnings about it.

SUDDENLY, OUT OF THE BLUE, an unsuspecting grandpa or grandma gets a phone call or an email from a frantic “grandson” or “granddaughter” saying something like “Help! My wallet has been stolen and I need money to come home from California. Please wire me some money, and don’t tell my parents.”

MOST POPULAR IS THE PLEA, “I am in Mexico (or London, or Canada, or Greece) and my passport and wallet have been stolen and I can’t pay my hotel bill.”

THE EMAIL USUALLY HAS A FEW FACTS ABOUT THE PERSON from stolen information that also provided the names of the grandparents.

GRANDPARENTS ARE SO SHOCKED AND CONCERNED THEY OFTEN WIRE MONEY without realizing they should check with their kids to see if the grandkids are really out of the city. Checking with relatives is a must.

WE WERE TARGETED four months ago. At 3 a.m. on a Sunday morning, we got a call from our grandson, Brian, asking us to wire him $1,200 because he was stranded in New York City, was robbed of his wallet, couldn’t pay his hotel bill, needed airfare, and was crying and upset. “You don’t sound like yourself,” we stammered, confused and sleepy. “There’s noise here from the subway,” the voice continued, “and I’m on a borrowed cellphone … mine was stolen with my wallet.”

WE SUDDENLY REMEMBERED HEARING ABOUT THIS SCAM and since we knew our grandson would never leave town without telling us, we told the caller we didn’t believe he was “Brian.” He hung up instantly.

DON’T FALL FOR SOB STORIES. Check out the situation with other family members.

GRANDKIDS OFTEN NEED FINANCIAL HELP so don’t waste your cash on phony con men and women.

LISTEN TO YOUR HEAD, NOT JUST YOUR HEART.

(AS THIS COLUMN WENT TO PRESS, we received two identical emails from Dick Judson orchestras and philanthropist Gail Zugerman, obviously phony, saying they had been robbed of their passports and money in the UK and needed cash wired to them. This “help me” scam has many angles, so be on the alert.)

WHO IS THE MISTRESS, 30, who tells everyone she is the wife of the investment exec, 70, that she’s living with? All of his wife’s friends have shunned the girl who dared invite them to her birthday party. There is no prenup, so this sad marital tale is going to court next month because he doesn’t want a divorce, and doesn’t want to share assets with his long-suffering wife.

HOMETOWN HERO ACTOR DENNIS FARINA was cheered by 1,200 at the 47th Chicago International Film Festival where his new movie, The Last Rites of Joe May, received its premiere showing at the Harris Theater. Ex-cop Farina, fellow actors Jamie Anne Allman, Ian Barford, Gary Cole, Chelcie Ross, and writer/director Joe Maggio walked the red carpet. More than 800 attended the after party at the Cultural Center with food from Gibson’s restaurant.

ACTOR BILLY ZANE, best remembered for his role in Titanic, added starshine to the film festival. His parents, Bill and Thalia Zane were long active in local theatrical circles.

FANS OF KENDRA WILKINSON, TV reality star and a Hugh Hefner reject, came to see her at Macy’s and get copies of her book, Being Kendra: Cribs, Cocktails, and Getting My Sexy Back. How much sexy can she get back after sharing Hef with his other girlfriends and then getting married to former NFL wide receiver Hank Baskett? Yuck, and meowwwwww.

TV JUDGE GREG MATHIS speaks Oct. 20 at noon to Chicago Bar Assn. members in courtroom 1307 at the Daley Center.

DAHLINGS, A CHAMPAGNE RECEPTION, in the home of Tiger Management Corp. tycoon Julian Robertson, with Baron Roland de L’Espee, Le Vicomte de Rohan, Madame Caroline Sarkozy, Nicole Salinger, Comtesse Serge de La Bedoyere and other distinguished guests is in store Oct. 27 for supporters of the prestigious American Friends of Versailles posh journey to New York City. A private luncheon at The 21 Club, and a cocktail party Oct. 28 in the residence of Juan Pablo and Pilar Molyneux in honor of the Steve Rockefellers, Madame Sarkozy and Robertson are other swank events. Catharine Hamilton, founder of the Friends, has planned these super chic parties in honor of international friendship between the U.S. and France, and the restoration and preservation of the Chateau de Versailles. Its Pavillon Frais, a masterpiece of architecture constructed under the reign of Louis XV between 1751 and 1753, is now partially restored, thanks to the Friends.

ON THE AMERICAN FRIENDS OF VERSAILLES BOARD are: the Fred Krehbiels, Henry Kissinger, the David Hamiltons, the Patrick Ryans, the Robert Forbeses, the David Horns, the Steven Rockefellers, Edward Lee Cave, the Henry Segerstroms, Dr. and Mrs. Henry Betts, Bonnie Deutsch, Sharon King Hoge, Dr. and Mrs. Charles Nadler, the Pablo Edwardses, Mrs. Ann Carey, the Gregory Hedbergs, Princesse Claude De France and the John Jordans II … SEPT. 20-27 in 2012, there will be an exclusive trip to the south of France for supporters of Friends of Versailles. June 15, 2013, will be another Le Grand Bal de Versailles with other spectacular events in Paris and its environs.

SEEN ADDING GLAM TO RL, lunching at different tables, were: Evelyn Echols, Donna Atwater, Maggie Dempsey, Fran Johnson, Elizabeth Brodsky, Mary Frey, Zarada Gowenlock, Sean Eshagy, Mamie Walton, Sherrill Bodine, Lynda Silverman, Evie Glieberman and Averill Leviton.

A BITTER TASTE OVER “SWEETNESS”? … Jeff Pearlman’s book about football great Walter Payton’s extramarital affairs, thoughts of suicide, etc., has many fans up in arms. How politically correct can we get? Never to mention the failings of a public figure? We are all flawed. Is there anyone perfect in our world? Even Mother Teresa had her detractors, with good reason. If you can’t stop judging heroes, if you can’t bear feet of clay, go to another planet.

THE CHIC SIDE OF NEW YORK will be revealed Oct. 18 by author and Elle Decor editor Jamee Gregory when she headlines the annual Handbags & Halos luncheon at the Empire Room of the Palmer House to benefit the Howard Brown Health Center. Jamee is co-author of New York Apartments: Private Views and New York Parties: Private Views. Bunky Cushing hosts the event.

WOW! OUR SECOND CITY VETERAN TINA FEY of the series 30 Rock is among the highest paid TV actresses, with a $13 million paycheck. We are a fan of Tina’s but 30 Rock just isn’t the funniest series — Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men are far more fun.

CONGRATS TO ANOTHER SECOND CITY ALUM, Mike Myers and wife Kelly Tisdale, who are changing diapers for son Spike as you read this.

TWO FUNNY TV AND MOVIE STARS, zany Fran Drescher and Saturday Night Live veteran Molly Shannon have penned books for kids, hoping to help the little ones grow into mature, happy adults. Fran, best known for her role on The Nanny, has a book out Nov. 15 titled Being Wendy about a girl who is an “original” and doesn’t fit the usual standards and so must find her own way. She says her own childhood inspired the novel because she had to find her own passions, trying new things and being unafraid to explore. Shannon’s book, already released, is called Tilly the Trickster, and celebrates harmless mischief as fun. She made up stories for her kids at bedtime and always stressed silliness and playing tricks and her children loved it. Goal is for kids to enjoy and revel in their youth. Shannon is planning a show for HBO about a nun who leaves the convent after 20 years and starts dating. Much of her material on SNL was about her Catholic schooling and it was hilarious. Molly will also play Frankie Heck’s sister on The Middle this season.

ROSIE O’DONNELL is said to be content with the five-bedroom, seven-bath, $2.5 million-townhouse she bought on the north side to reside in as she creates her five-day-a-week show for the Oprah network. Her four kids live with ex-wife Kelli Carpenter in New York and mommy Rosie will fly home to see them frequently.

A NEW PILL TO ERASE WRINKLES will be offered by Unilever next month at 44 spas in Britain, Spain and Canada. The three-a-day capsules reduce lines by up to 30 percent by boosting collagen. The good stuff in the pills, like vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, are said to activate master genes that create collagen.

ELI’S PIANO PLAYER for 36 years, Hal Roach, is mourned at 82. He was an added attraction to the steaks, and Eli’s famous liver, at the popular restaurant on Chicago Ave. that was razed to make way for the new Lurie Children’s Hospital. Hal played before President Clinton, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Liza Minnelli and other stars besides the regular patrons who loved the food and Hal’s music.

THE END OF AN ERA of local theatrical agencies that recognized talent and helped launch careers in show biz has come with the death of major scout Shirley Hamilton, 90. She is credited with nurturing Jim Belushi, Daryl Hannah, Shelley Long, Mandy Patinkin, Tom Dreesen, Tim Reid and Robert Urich after she opened her Shirley Hamilton agency in 1962. Her daughter, Lynne Hamilton Wray now operates the firm.

ACTRESS GOLDIE HAWN’S MOTHER WAS A BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR and so the dimpled darling of TV and movies said she felt close to the Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation’s goal of a cure. As guest speaker at the annual luncheon at the Ritz, Goldie charmed 750 supporters and helped raise $635,000. Co-chairs were Michelle Friedman, Ashley Netzky and Lara Shiffman. Major supporters were Neil Bluhm, the Michael Sacks, the Bryan Barrishes and Lili Ann Zisook.

HOT TICKETS … THE COSTUME BALL Oct. 21, honoring Ralph Rucci at the History Museum. Robin Berger, Catherine Eberle and Lawrie Weed are chairs. … THE SWANK COLUMBIAN BALL Oct. 22 at the Museum of Science & Industry, is chaired by the Glenn Tiltons, Diana Strassmann and Jeff Smisek. … THE EARTH BALL AT THE FIELD MUSEUM is Oct. 29 featuring a new exhibit on restoring earth, with chairs Mrs. Alan Lacy and Mrs. William Osborn. … THE BLACK ENSEMBLE legendary celebration is Oct. 14 at the InterContinental with founder and director Jackie Taylor marking its 35th year.

BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY to: Simon Cowell, Kate Winslet, Toni Braxton, Kelly Ripa, Sting, Matt Damon, Sigourney Weaver, Chevy Chase, Gwen Stefani, Susan Sarandon, Neve Campbell and Elisabeth Shue.

BRAD PITT’S MALIBU BACHELOR PAD is on the market for $13,000,000.

FASHION EXTRAVAGANZA is Oct. 22-23 at the Randolph Street Market and Cori Zuckerman reports it is all clothes, jewelry, accessories and furs.

BILLIE JEAN KING HOSTS the Team Tennis Tournament benefit Oct. 29 at Midtown Club to support the scholarship program for disadvantaged kids.

DONNA LA PIETRA AND BILL KURTIS will be honored Nov. 11 in Millennium Park when the Human Rhythm Project holds its annual benefit with a special performance. Co-chairs are Theresa Gutierrez, the Harold Leftwiches and Diana Harris.

RUNWAY FASHION SHOWS in Millennium Park and shopping and trunk shows are part of Fashion Focus as designers showcase their wares. Anna Fong exhibits clothes at the Blackstone Hotel Oct. 17. … AT THE HISTORY MUSEUM Oct. 19 top fashion students will display accessories or garments created with Charles James in mind. Julius LaCour’s collection debuts Oct. 20 at the Drake. … GARIC STEPHENS SHINES Oct. 21 at 839 W. Fulton Market. … SHOPPING, SERVICES, STYLES invite you Oct. 22 when the underground fashion scene adds a midnight design display at Sugar Fly, 2409 W. North Ave. … SHARON BOUCHER’S FASHION stars Oct. 22 at her Canalport studio. … AMALGAMATION SHOW IS OCT. 22 with 15 designers at 3042 W. Washington Blvd.

CELL PHONES FOR SOLDIERS is a drive by Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka to connect servicemen with loved ones back home. Old and used cell phones may be dropped at the Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St., before Nov. 18. Donated phones are sent to ReCellular which pays Cell Phones for Soldiers enough for at least an hour of talk time for men and women abroad. Topinka is the mother of a major in the army. To date, the drive has collected 7 million phones in eight years.

“LOVE MAKES THE TIME PASS. TIME MAKES LOVE PASS.” —FRENCH PROVERB

CONTACT: annbgerber@gmail.com or 847-677-2232

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By Sandra Feldman from Irving Pk/Marine Dr.
Posted: 10/16/2011 11:59 AM

Don't I wish I had read the Grandparent Scam article before I was scamed. At least I know I was not the only one.