Possible scam reported

Posted: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 4:00 pm

The Messenger, January 16, 2013
A Union City senior citizen has reported a possible scam to police.
The 82-year-old woman told police Tuesday she received a phone call from someone saying he was her grandson and that he needed money because he was in trouble in Bolivia, according to a Union City Police Department report.
She was told that he had been drinking, had wrecked a rental car and was jailed until he could pay $4,000 for damages. In addition, she was told a lawyer would call her shortly after the first call and tell her where and when to send the money, and she did receive the second call.
The woman apparently attempted to send the money, but she had not been provided with a good address, according to police.
Police consistently urge local residents to use extreme caution when contacted by phone and asked to send money. They routinely advise that residents should never give out personal information such as Social Security numbers, credit card numbers or bank account numbers.