Police advise residents to avoid being scammed By JAMES M. ODATO Published: 09:54 p.m., Friday, August 13, 2010
SCHENECTADY -- Cash scams from phone solicitations are hitting Schenectady residents, city police said in an advisory Friday night.
The calls are reported as coming from area codes 809 (Dominican Republic), 284 (British Virgin Islands) and 876 (Jamaica).
Police said scammers call random phone numbers and tell those who answers they have won $3.5 million for being a "good customer" of Kmart and Wal-Mart, but to collect, $3,800 must be sent by Western Union for insurance to protect the alleged prize during transfer, police said.
Sgt. L. L. Savoia said he is unaware of any city residents falling for the scam, but the warning seemed prudent because reports of the calls began coming in this month.
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