An attempted fraud was reported to the Barton County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday. Someone called a Barton County resident saying her grandson was in trouble in New Mexico and needed help. The woman hung up before finding out what kind of “help” was wanted, and instead called her grandson, who said he was fine.
Residents are reminded that the “Grandmother Scam” is a ploy by con artists, who pretend to call on behalf of a grandson who is in trouble. They attempt to have money sent to deal with a fictitious emergency.
In an unrelated BSCO call Tuesday, a woman reported receiving a strange call from a male claiming he was with Publisher Clearinghouse and wanting to make sure she was at home at 11:05 that morning to claim her “prize,” which was money and a vehicle. Extra patrols were requested.