PHILIPSBURG – State police in Philipsburg are warning area residents to be aware of con artists and phone scams.
According to police, an elderly couple were recently targeted by scammers. The couple was contacted by phone by a person claiming to be with the Canadian Border Police. They alleged that the couple’s granddaughter had been arrested and they would need to send bail money to get her out of jail. The couple wired about $2,700 to an undetermined location.
Police urge citizens to be aware of these kinds of scams and not to send money to anyone that they have not been able to confirm their legitimacy. There is little law enforcement can do once the transaction has been completed. Citizens should still report any of these types of incidents to the police if they have suffered financial or identity loss as a result of a phone scam.