Once the relatives get wind of this, there is a simple solution.  Get a <i>new phone number</i> for the person in question.  And even more critical <i>don&#x27;t cancel the old one</i>.<p>Put an answering machine on the old one, and have a &quot;safe&quot; relative check it every other day or so.  Give the new phone number to family and friends.<p>After a few weeks of getting nothing but answering machine messages, the scammers will go away.<p>If the old number has been cancelled, the scammers know you&#x27;re on to them.  And look for the new number.  If the old number still works, they won&#x27;t look for a new number.  Mostly.