Glen Ellyn Residents Lose Thousands In Recent Phone Scams: Police

GLEN ELLYN, IL -- Two Glen Ellyn residents were recently targeted in phone scams that resulted in the loss of thousands of dollars in mid-March, police say. In one incident, the scammer posed as a relative who needed bail money and convinced the victim to send $8,000.

On March 12, a resident got a phone call from a caller who claimed to work for Microsoft. The victim told police that the caller asked for access to their computer and bank accounts in order to deposit money.

The scammer reportedly told the victim that they needed to pay back the money in the form of Google Play cards. The resident complied by giving the caller the gift card information and activation codes for $1300 in Google Play cards.

Police say the scammer also stole $500 from the victim's bank account.

On March 15, a resident in the 300 block of Hillside was targeted by a phone scammer who pretended to be a relative who had been arrested. The victim told police they sent $8,000 in bond money via FedEx to the caller before it was revealed to be a scam.

These recent incidents are part of a rash of phone scams that have been reported throughout the western suburbs. Often, the callers will target elderly residents and pose as utility workers, IRS agents, and even family members.

If you have been the victim of such a scam, contact Glen Ellyn police at 630-469-1187 or call your local police department.