Authorities say phone scams on rise
BY JOSH MROZINSKI
Wyoming County Press Examiner
Betty Lathrop, 82, is outraged people tried to take advantage of her love for a grandson last fall.
In October, the Meshoppen resident almost became victim of a phone scam. A caller claiming to be her grandson, Nathaniel, asked that money be wired to him in Canada because he was in trouble.
"I'm angry," Lathrop said. "You have to be careful today. People are out for the money."
The incident and similar scams have caught the attention of law enforcement authorities and the Better Business Bureau.
Wyoming County Chief Detective David Ide said he is investigating reports of telephone scams in cooperation with the FBI and Pennsylvania Attorney General's Elder Abuse Unit.
FBI Special Agent J.J. Klaver in Philadelphia said the agency is aware of the scam.
"Before you wire money, check with other family members to make sure the request is legitimate," Klaver said.
He added the Internet allows information to be easily retrieved about people, including from social Web sites and posted obituaries.
On Oct. 20, a man called Mrs. Lathrop and said he was her grandson, Nathaniel.
The man said he was in a motor vehicle crash in Canada and needed $4,600, Mrs. Lathrop said.
She added he requested the $4,600 be wired through a money service to a Wal-Mart in Toronto, Canada.
Wanting to help her grandson, Mrs. Lathrop took $4,600 out of a bank account and traveled to Wal-Mart in Eaton Township, south of Tunkhannock.
At the store, Mrs. Lathrop said three different employees convinced her that it may not be a good idea to wire money to Canada.
So she didn't wire the funds.
"One of the best ways to avoid the scam is to ask personal questions," Preszler said.
Anyone who is victimized by a phone scam is asked to call police or the Pennsylvania Attorney General.
Internet crime can also be reported at http://www.ic3.gov.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Call Centre has established a hotline known as PhoneBusters. PhoneBusters can be reached at, 1-888-495-8501.
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