Norman police warn of telephone scam

Norman residents have reported receiving phone calls from people claiming to be a relative in trouble who needs money. The calls are a scam, police say.

FROM STAFF REPORTS | Published: January 18, 2013 Comment on this article

NORMAN — Police are warning residents that they have received several reports of an apparent telephone scam.

Residents say people have telephoned them pretending to be a grandchild or other relative needing financial assistance in a foreign country or large city in the United States. The caller asks the victim to wire money because the caller has been arrested or involved in an accident, Capt. Tom Easley said.

Easley said money requests vary from $2,000 to $4,000, and the caller urges the victim to act quickly.

The calls are fraudulent and seem to be directed toward the elderly. Easley said residents are warned not to accept what a caller says on face value even though the caller may have inside knowledge of family names, relationships or history.

Anyone receiving this type of call should verify information independently through another family member. Never wire money until completely satisfied the circumstances are legitimate, Easley said.

Anyone receiving a suspicious phone call should report it to police, he said.