Employee of local business prevents resident from falling victim to a scam

The victim, a seventy-three year old resident of Simpson Street, spoke with Lawrenceburg Police officers at around 2:30 p.m. She said that she had received a call nearly an hour prior, from a man who attempted to obtain money from her.

The caller, who never identified himself, told the victim that because she had missed jury duty in a federal court case, a warrant had been issued for her arrest. He told her that she would “go to jail if she couldn’t get $485 to pay court costs.” He instructed the victim to go to either Walgreen’s or Kroger in Lawrenceburg and obtain a Green Dot Money-Pak. He further instructed her to return to her home and call him back. He said that at that point she would be directed to “drive to the sheriff’s department where a deputy and Sgt. Brewer would escort her inside.”

The victim said that she initially began to comply with the directions and drove to Walgreens as instructed. While there, she told the clerk about the call. The clerk explained that the Money-Pak was non-refundable. She also informed the woman that the call had likely been a scam.

An investigator attempted to call the number the caller had given to the victim, however he found that the number was no longer in service.

Local residents are warned to stay alert to this and several other similar scams that have been reported in the area. Authorities remind residents to never give out personal information over the telephone. Should the person ask for money, they suggest that you confirm the validity of the claim with police authorities.