Senior citizens scammed of savings
Updated: October 29, 2012
SPRINGFIELD -- If you have elderly parents, there's a new warning for you. A scammer is trying to take advantage of seniors by using a confusing phone call about their banks. WCIA-3's Steve Staeger has our Scamwatch.
Police think this guy will strike again. He's already been successful twice in the Capitol City, and police believe he's branching out because of that success.
It all starts with a phone call and ends with a huge chunk of money missing from your bank account. A call from a blocked number. It may be a warning sign for you, but it wasn't enough for an 83-year old woman.
The caller on the other end of the line told her he was an employee at her bank. He said a teller stole money from her account and the bank needed her to help identify him. She pulled nearly $3,000 in cash. The caller said he needed to dust it for prints.
Then the woman headed to this McDonald's parking lot to meet the man who called himself Mr. Marshall. By the time she realized it was a scam, it was too late.
This is the second time someone claiming to be a "Mr. Marshall" has pulled off this scam. He did the same thing to a 72-year old this week as well, getting away with $4,000.
Police are worried the scam might catch on. That's why they're trying to spread the word and warn seniors.
The suspect in this case is a white man in his 40's - 60's. He's about 5'7", and 170 lbs. He calls himself "Mr. Marshall." Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers.
Sangamon & Menard County Crime Stoppers
(217) 788 - 8427
cash4tips.us
Text: Tip672 + info to CRIMES (274637)
Police think this guy will strike again. He's already been successful twice in the Capitol City, and police believe he's branching out because of that success.
It all starts with a phone call and ends with a huge chunk of money missing from your bank account. A call from a blocked number. It may be a warning sign for you, but it wasn't enough for an 83-year old woman.
The caller on the other end of the line told her he was an employee at her bank. He said a teller stole money from her account and the bank needed her to help identify him. She pulled nearly $3,000 in cash. The caller said he needed to dust it for prints.
Then the woman headed to this McDonald's parking lot to meet the man who called himself Mr. Marshall. By the time she realized it was a scam, it was too late.
This is the second time someone claiming to be a "Mr. Marshall" has pulled off this scam. He did the same thing to a 72-year old this week as well, getting away with $4,000.
Police are worried the scam might catch on. That's why they're trying to spread the word and warn seniors.
The suspect in this case is a white man in his 40's - 60's. He's about 5'7", and 170 lbs. He calls himself "Mr. Marshall." Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers.
Sangamon & Menard County Crime Stoppers
(217) 788 - 8427
cash4tips.us
Text: Tip672 + info to CRIMES (274637)
