Scam Alert

On 1/18/2011 a South Milwaukee resident reported to the South Milwaukee Police that she was contacted via phone by her “grandson” who stated that he was in an accident and needed money wired to Spain as he had struck a diplomat’s car. The grandson stated he was going to jail if he did not pay for the damages. The woman then went to a Western Union and wired $2,600 to a person in Spain. She then received an another call stating that additional money needed to be wired due to damage to a city owned traffic light. After becoming suspicious she did not wire the 2nd transfer and called her family learning that her grandson was at work and not in an accident. This is a scam and is occurring all over the Country. The SMPD urges residents to be careful when dealing with unknown persons over the telephone. If you receive a phone call of this type, please hang up and call your local police department. Also, never give out personal information or banking information over the telephone. Thank you.