COLUMBUS, Ind. — Phone scammers convinced a Bartholomew County couple to send $3,000 in iTunes gift cards Monday.
The grandparents received a call from a person supposedly representing an out-of-state police officer, telling them that their grandson was in jail and needed $3,000 to be released.
The couple was asked to purchase iTunes cards. They scratched off the back and gave the numbers to the caller.
The couple received another call Tuesday claiming their grandson bonded out and they would receive the $3,000 refund. However, they would need to send another $2,000 in iTunes cards to get the refund.
Someone called police before the couple fell victim again.
“If someone wants to separate you from your hard-earned money, just hang up. Fraud is one crime that can be avoided – hang up and call us,” said Sheriff Matt Myers.
Similar ‘grandparent’ scams have been reported over the past few years where someone claims to be a grandchild needing monetary assistance.
