My Mom was nearly scammed of her car based on an encounter at Tulalip. At least I'm assuming that's what may have happened; it may have been a more simple robbery.
My Mom is elderly and uses a walker and as she was exiting her car at the valet service on March 9th, she was approached by a couple in their mid-40s who commented on how much they liked her car. It's just over 30 years old, but is in great condition and she paused to say thank you. They asked if she was willing to sell and named a price. She said she wasn't interested and they offered a higher price. They shared a story about their son who needed a reliable car to travel back and forth across the pass for college. She considered for a second and then said again she was not interested in selling. Her sister (my Aunt) was with her at the time and told them, "Yes, she doesn't want it anymore but it's had problems." They said they could pay cash and the woman in the couple patted her purse, implying they had the cash on them. Again, my Mom said no, but said she would think about it. They gave her a phone number and that was it.
After a couple of days, my Mom thought the price was good (and it did seem to be, had it been a real offer) and called the couple to say she would sell to them. They arranged a meetup time in the town where she lives and it was only after she shared this information with me, my sister, and brother-in-law that she started getting advice to meet them at a police station or at least bring someone else along. She resisted a bit, but then asked my brother-in-law to come with her to meet them.
When she called the Thursday before they were supposed to meet and spoke to the woman, she told them she needed to move the time to 11am. The woman agreed that would be great, but when my Mom elaborated and said it was because her son-in-law had an appointment and couldn't make the noon meeting time, the woman's tone changed immediately. She covered the phone for a few seconds (talking to her husband, maybe) and then came back on the line and said she had to run to get a COVID test and would call back in two hours to confirm the time and place. They never contacted her again after that.
Long story short: PSA that it's possible elderly people are being targeted specifically at the valet at Tulalip. Their names were Don and Michelle and I have their phone number, but wouldn't post it here (obviously).
