SUN CITY – This is a follow-up piece in light of the story about Bonnie Archer, from the July 11 edition, who fell victim to a phone scam. The warning signs are important to know.
Huntley Chief of Police, Robert Porter, states that these types of scams are fairly common and have been the subject of many crime prevention alerts provided by the Huntley Police Department.
Porter advises Sun City residents, “Be leery about anyone calling on the phone about an emergency. Get a phone number to call back and verify the whereabouts and safety of the person the call is about. The grandchild needs money scam is extremely popular. They will ask you to purchase pre-paid gift cards and provide them card information. Never give out social security, Medicare, or financial account information over the phone.”
Most importantly, Porter urges residents to avoid answering calls from unfamiliar numbers.
An everyday day situation could have become a lasting nightmare if not for the warning signs 88-year-old Sun City resident, Vern Mullen, had come to recognize when it came to answering an unknown phone call.
Mullen credits his knowledge on the steps to take with phone scams to the veterans group he is a part of. This was crucial information to have on the day he decided to take action against a potential scammer.
“The first call that came was initiated in New York. He says, ‘Hi grandpa, this is your oldest grandson. I’m here in Colorado and got into an accident.’ He started listing a trail of injuries and the red flags appeared. I let him talk more and then asked him, ‘What’s your name?’ He tells me Michael. I shut him down. I do have a grandson named Michael, but he’s only a senior in high school,” Mullen explained.
Mullen had fallen victim to a scam six years prior and wants to ensure that others become more aware of the warning signs to avoid any consequences.
“These people are clever, but knowing the red flags in their stories are necessary to identify a scam and to not be a victim. This hits my heart pretty heavy because most people can’t afford it.” Mullen said.
Porter and his staff of police officers encourage residents to reach out with any questions or concerns they may have regarding a situation.
“Never hesitate to contact the police to verify or check out something that you are not comfortable with. We’re here to help and would rather be contacted before the scam has been completed, rather than after one of our residents becomes a victim,” Porter said.
