Van Zandt County Authorities Warn of New Phone Scam

CANTON — A concerned Van Zandt County citizen reported a new scam sweeping across the country coming from the Dominican Republic. The citizen received a telephone call from a person who identified himself as her grandson, which she does not have, so he changed it to her nephew. This so-called relative said he went to South America with a church group and was arrested. He said the American Embassy got him released from the jail, but needed a check for $2,500 to clear up the situation. He said the American Embassy would reimburse her the money. The citizen did not fall for the scam and the subject then hung up.

Authorities say these scammers may be using the Internet to access personal information on the citizens they call. Van Zandt County Sheriff R. P. “Pat” Burnett asks that all the citizens of Van Zandt County be aware of these types of telephone calls and that they do not give out personal information over the telephone and never send money or checks to anyone without verifying who they say they are.