Former Kingsford resident Phyllis Jump was the victim of a $5,000 scam
IRON MOUNTAIN -- "We sit here and think a lot of this goes on outside of our sphere of influence. Certainly I did."
That was until Fred Jump learned that his 86-year-old mother Phyllis was the victim of a phone scam.
An Arizona resident, Phyllis received a call from who she believed to be her granddaughter saying she was in a Mexican jail and needed $5,000 to be released.
"Impersonated her, sounded like her, she had a cry in her voice, she's tugging at the heart strings,” said Jump. “In fact, my mother said she sounded just like my daughter."
Phyllis sent the money, but it wasn't until a second call came asking for more money that she became suspicious and realized she'd been scammed.
Unfortunately these scams are all too common for police. But Iron Mountain Police Chief Pete Flaminio said preventing the scam starts with you.
"Once they get some personal information, banking information especially, it's really easy for them to make direct withdraws form your account,” said Flaminio. “You never want to give out any personal information period."
Flaminio said if you ever receive a call from someone asking for money and personal information, call the police.
Jump hopes other people will be aware of scams like this and offers a suggestion.
"A simple codeword I think is important within a family especially on this scheme in particular,” he said. “It is family oriented and there are questions you can ask that person."
Jump said he is working with Arizona police to find as much information as he can about the scams.
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