Scam Warning

September 08, 2008
Contact: Elise Schaffer, PIO Phone: (608) 284-6142 Email: schaffer@co.dane.wi.us
Sheriff's Office

Dane County Sheriff’s Detectives are investigating a telephone scam that has cost one town of Springfield man nearly $20,000.00. The incident occurred over three to four days last week before it was reported to authorities. The scam operates by a caller contacting someone and posing as a relative who is out of town, in trouble, and in need of cash. In the town of Springfield incident, the caller claimed to be the man’s grandson. The caller used a name of one of the victim’s grandsons, which was used when calling. The caller claimed to have rented a car to drive to Canada. He then claimed to have been in a car crash and asked his grandfather to send large sums of cash to cover damage to the rental car and attorney fees. Dane County Deputies were called to a similar incident involving an elderly woman earlier today in the village of Dane. The detectives believe the calls are coming from areas in Canada, New York and New Jersey. They also believe the scammers may be accessing family names from newspaper articles such as obituaries. Anyone who has received similar calls, or has any information on this scam is asked to call the Dane County tip line at (608) 284-6900. The Sheriff’s Office reminds citizens to be cautious when contacted by phone or email and asked to mail large sums of money or give out any personal information. In this case, the callers appear to be targeting elderly victims, however everyone should be aware of the potential to fall victim to such a scam. ###