Port Resident Outsmarts Grandson Scammers

Phone scammers are back at their game, again trying to fool Port Washington residents.

A Port Washington woman received a call at 11:17 a.m. Feb. 1 from someone claiming to be her grandson in a Mexican jail, according to police reports. The caller told the woman to wire money so that he could be released.

The woman contacted family members, and learned that her grandson was not actually in Mexico, according to the report. Realizing the scam, she contacted police.

Port Washington police warned of an increased number of these types of scammer calls around the holidays, offering advice to protect yourself from a loss:

• Resist the pressure to act quickly;
• Try to contact your grandchild or another family member to determine whether or not the call is legitimate;
• Never wire money based on a request made over the phone or in an e-mail ... especially overseas.  Wiring money is like giving cash – once you send it, you can’t get it back.

Residents who may receive scam phone calls or emails are urged to report them to the Port Washington Police Department immediately by calling 262-284-5575.