FORD CITY – Beware of phone scams.
That's something Ford City police officer Sgt. John Atherton wanted to remind the public after a Sixth Street resident recently reported a suspicious phone call to the police.
The 80-year-old man said someone claiming to be a Mexican official told him he needed to send $2,000 to post bail for his grandson who was in jail in Mexico.
The scam caller put someone on the phone who sounded like the Ford City resident's grandson, said Atherton.
Luckily, the elderly man was suspicious and hung up before checking to confirm his grandson was safe and still attending classes in State College. He then notified police.
“He stepped forward and did the right thing by contacting police,” said Atherton.
Anyone receiving suspicious calls should contact police before providing any kind of funds, he said.
“We don't want to see anyone scammed out of money,” said Atherton.
Brigid Beatty is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-543-1303 or bbeatty@tribweb.com.
