Elderly Being Targeted in Windham Phone Scams, Police Say

Windham Police are warning residents of phone scams in Windham after two reports from elderly residents came in to the department.

In both instances, the elderly residents received phone calls indicating that a relative, who was reported to be out of the country, is in immediate need of money due to an arrest or because they are injured in the hospital.

Windham Police Capt. Mike Caron said that both victims were told to wire the money via Western Union.

One elderly couple sent $1,800 prior to contacting the relative. In both situations, the relatives were contacted and confirmed to be okay.

In one of the incidents, the elderly couple was not allowed to speak directly with the relative while in the other the person on the phone pretended to be the relative in need of the money.

"This is a very common scam directed towards the elderly," said Caron in a release. "The Windham Police Department encourages anyone that recieves this type of phone call to contact the relative in question prior to sending the money. A representative from the Windham Police Department is always available to assist individuals who might receive these types of calls.