Sheriff warns of phone scams targeting Scott County

BENTON, Mo. -- The county sheriff said Friday telephone scams that primarily target the elderly are on the rise in Scott County.

According to Sheriff Rick Walter, telephone scams are becoming more common and victim intimidation is escalating. One case his office recently investigated involved an elderly victim who reported phone calls for more than a year. A caller at first told the victim she had won the lottery and instructed her to send money to cover processing fees and taxes. Once the money was sent, the victim began receiving calls of similar winnings. When the victim later refused to send additional money, the caller made threats of violence and told the victim her residence was being watched.

A second elderly victim reported receiving a call from a person claiming to be her grandson. The victim was told her grandson had been arrested in a foreign country and she needed to send $2,000 to get him out of jail. The victim was given a telephone number that allegedly belonged to the U.S. Embassy in that country, and she spoke to a person identified as a government agent who would assist in wiring the money and helping to get her grandson out of jail. The victim attempted to send the money but an alert store clerk prevented the transaction from going through.

Walter said those instances of telephone scams have been tracked to Jamaica and Canada. He encourages Scott County residents who receive similar calls not to give any personal information or send any money until it has been verified that the call is legitimate.

Anyone receiving a questionable call asking for money is asked to contact the Scott County sheriff's office for verification assistance by calling 573-545-3525.

Pertinent address:

131 S. New Madrid St., Benton, Mo.