Tuesday, November 03, 2009 at 8:10 a.m.
Read more: State, Black Hawk County Iowa, Black Hawk County Sheriff, Telephone Scams, WATERLOO Iowa
WATERLOO, IOWA (AP) -- The loss of $3,000 by a Black Hawk County resident has prompted the sheriff's department to issue a warning about telephone scams.
Authorities say a county resident received calls from a man claiming to be his grandson. The caller said he had been arrested for drunken driving following a traffic accident and needed money for bail and an attorney.
Sheriff's Captain Rick Abben says the victim indicated the man sounded like his grandson. Abben said the real grandson was in no such trouble. The money disappeared after the resident sent it by a wire service.
Abben said the fraud was attempted a second time, however the intended victim didn't have a grandson.
Authorities say the public should make their own contact with the family member claiming to be in trouble when they receive requests for money.
(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
