Milford police are issuing a warning about a sweepstakes scam that swindled an elderly woman out of $8,600.
Police said they received a complaint on Saturday from a family member who realized that the woman had been scammed.
A male whom the victim did not know called her and told the woman she had won $15 million and two cars in a sweepstakes, according to police.
Then, there was the catch. The caller told the woman that she could have the prizes only after submitting payment and that required buying MoneyPak cards, police said.
The victim bought several MoneyPak cards over a three-day period and provided the caller with the number from the back of each MoneyPak card.
By the time it was over, police said, the woman was swindled out of more than $8,600.
A family member who became aware of the scam, called police, discontinued the phone service and contacted MoneyPak Fraud Services about the calls.
The calls made as part of this scam came from 876 and 702 area codes, according to police.
Police ask residents not to respond to phone calls, letters or emails that claim you have won a lottery or sweepstakes and refrain from providing personal and or financial information to people you do not know.
They warn that you never provide your MoneyPak number to someone you do not know and refuse any offer that asks you to buy a MoneyPak card and share the number by email or phone.
Do not use MoneyPak or electronic wiring services to pay “taxes or fees” to claim winnings for foreign lottery or prize promotions.
If you are contacted by someone you suspect is running a scam, report the activities to your local police department and the fraud division of the company the fraudster recommends you use for the transaction.
Anyone with questions regarding Green Dot - MoneyPak can visit their website.
