Phone Scam Try To Get Victims To Send Money To Help Family Member

Another phone scam is targeting Upper Peninsula residents.

The Michigan State Police has received an increased number of calls involving a scam where the caller states that a grandchild or other family member has been in an accident and needs money for medical treatment or bond money.

Most scams involve obtaining a victim’s personal information under false pretenses.

The scammer usually portrays a sense of urgency, pretending to be an official of a legitimate organization to fool a victim into providing personal information or requesting that they send money.

To avoid becoming a scam victim, do not give personal information to unknown callers, do not send money until you have verified the identity of the caller and the circumstances of the request, and do not respond to unsolicited e-mails from unknown senders.

Residents are reminded that scams can take many different forms, but if the offer seems too good to be true, it probably is and you should verify all information prior to sending any money to someone claiming to be a family member or someone claiming to be assisting a family member.