ALERT: New Richmond police issue scam alert
The New Richmond Police Department issued a “Special Alert” Wednesday, March 20, to the citizens of New Richmond advising that there is a “scam” that has surfaced in the city.
The New Richmond Police Department issued a “Special Alert” Wednesday, March 20, to the citizens of New Richmond advising that there is a “scam” that has surfaced in the city.
The current scam targets senior citizens either receiving a telephone call or an e-mail about a relative of theirs, according to Police Chief Mark Samelstad.
The “grandparent” receives a phone call from their alleged “grandchild, family friend, a niece or nephew or another family member” claiming that they are traveling in a foreign country and have gotten themselves in trouble, like being arrested for dugs, getting in a car accident or being mugged, Samelstad explained.
The alleged grandchild says that they need money wired immediately. The caller may also advise that they don’t want their parents told about this situation.
According to Samelstad, the caller may also identify themselves as the “arresting officer, a doctor at a hospital or a lawyer." This scam has also involved military families, where the grandparents of a soldier receive a phone call, advising that a problem came up during their “leave” that requires money to be wired to them.
During the week of March 18, a resident of the city of New Richmond received a phone call regarding their “grandson” that had gotten into trouble and was arrested. The caller stated they needed money to keep their grandson out of jail. Fortunately, Samelsatd reported, the grandparent’s daughter learned of this and interceded and there was no loss.
The New Richmond Police Department is issuing this alert to make the residents of this city aware of this scam.
If you or a relative receive a phone call or an e-mail regarding a family member or a friend that is asking for money, resist the urge to act immediately.
Contact the New Richmond Police Department at 715-246-6667 and report the incident. You may also contact the Wisconsin Consumer Protection Agency at 608-224-5012.
You may also want to try and contact the “alleged family member or friend” involved, to see what is going on, Samelstad suggested.
Tags: new richmond, area news, news, crime, wisconsin
More from around the web
RSS Feeds