Telephone Scam Costs Elderly Dexter Woman $4,000

Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton has a warning for seniors.

Clayton said be wary if someone identifying themself as a grandchild calls saying they are in trouble and need of money for medical bills.

On May 3, deputies responded to a call regarding a recent fraud. The victim, a 75-year-old Dexter resident, reported that she had just been "scammed."

According to a press release from the sheriff's office, on May 2, the woman received a call from a male subject that addressed her as "grandma." The woman believed the caller was her grandson and continued to have a conversation with him. The caller claimed that he was in an accident in Spain and needed money to pay for hospital bills. The woman wired the requested amount of money via Western Union. A few hours later, the suspect called back for the transaction number, thanked the woman, and asked her not to tell his parents.

On May 3 the suspect called again claiming that he had the money, but that he needed additional funds to pay for the vehicle that he had hit. The woman transferred additional funds, however the suspect called a third time claiming to need funds for his broken nose. After informing her bank, the bank teller explained to the woman that she was being scammed and instructed her to call 911.

"These kinds of scams are becoming more prevalent. They can come in the form of a random phone call like this one or in an email from a friends email account that has been hacked and even from a friends facebook account that has been hacked," Clayton said in the press release. "Before sending money to anyone claiming to be in an accident or claiming to be stranded or in need contact that person directly to verify that it is indeed them."

If you have been the victim of a scam, call 911. Make sure to document any communication and transactions that have been made.