One resident was told to send $172 to claim a $2.5 million grand prize, while another resident said someone pretended to be her grandson in an effort to get $2,800.
Police spokesman Officer Jeffrey Nielsen said a woman was called Wednesday by a man who said she had won a $2.5 million prize from Reader’s Digest. The man gave her a name and location to send a $172 MoneyGram.
If she followed the directions, the prize would be brought to her home in one hour. The police called a phone number provided to the woman and a representative from Reader’s Digest and found the prize offer was fraudulent.
The representative said Reader’s Digest does not ask for any money and does not phone customers regarding winnings.
In the other complaint, a man called a woman, claiming to be her grandson. He said he had been arrested in Canada, was injured, and needed money. The man said to wire $2,800 via Western Union. He gave the name of a attorney in Madrid, Spain, who was handling the matter in Canada.
The resident verified that her grandson was in Connecticut.
Nielsen said there are several scams done through the telephone, mailings and e-mails.
People who are contacted should verify its legitimacy, especially if it is unsolicited. “If someone tells you that you won a prize, but need to pay money first to receive your winnings it is usually a scam,” Nielsen said in a prepared statement.
“If someone claims to be a relative or friend in need stranded in another country, verify where they are by contacting them or another family member or acquaintance,” Nielsen said.
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