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BLOOMFIELD, IOWA -- Law Enforcement officials are warning the public once again about a scam involving senior citizens and wiring money.

The scam in question has been taking place for over a year now, and law enforcement agencies around Iowa want the public to be aware.

According to the Davis County Sheriff's Office; scammers have been calling grandparents, pretending to be the couples grandchild. The scammer then tells the grandparents that they have been arrested, or even involved in an automobile accident outside of the state. Somehow the scammer knows the name of the person's grandchild, which officials believe could be learned through social networking sites.

The scam continues when the scammer asks the victim to send bond money or money for some other type of emergency through Western Union.

"We have also received complaints where as a grandchild says, 'Hey grandma or grandpa, I was just in an accident, I'm out in Chicago. Could you wire me $4000 through Western Union?  I need the money so I can get some things taken care of on this.' Find out which department it was, see what law enforcement worked on the accident, also where is it I can reach you back," said Sheriff Davis.

There is no way to trace the money once it is wired. Also, when the calls are traced by law enforcement, the number doesn't exist anymore.

The sheriff also said that he just wants to make the public aware of the problem.

"I just want to get it out to the citizens that there is a lot of these scams going on. Ask questions; you have the right to be doing that. Find out where it is; if a grandchild has actually been arrested or in an accident, what ever it might be, you can call where ever that is to confirm whether it is the truth or not," said Sheriff Davis.

A great tip from the sheriff's office is to actually call your grandchild to make sure that the event is actually taking place.

Most of the calls are believed to originate from Canada and overseas, such as Africa. The Iowa Attorney General's Office does know about the scam, as well as federal agencies. But local law enforcement agencies say the best way to protect everyone is to just get the word out and inform the public about the scam.

If you believe you have been a victim of this scam, you are urged to contact your local sheriff's department and/or the Iowa State Attorney General's Office.