Authorities Warn Residents to be Wary of Phone Scams

Two area law enforcement agencies report phone scams are on the increase.

Detective Tyler Wheeler of the Marion County Sheriff's Office says an elderly female received a call today requesting her banking information for "Medicaid purposes".  When the female denied the request, she was told she would lose her Medicaid coverage.  She then complied and gave the caller the banking information.

She later contacted authorities and was directed to her bank to close the account. The Sheriff’s office says the scammers are from overseas and leave bogus phone numbers.

Adams County Deputy Brad Parrish says his office is receiving complaints of a phone scam regarding Federal grants.  The caller asks residents to wire $250 to $500 by Western Union in order to qualify.  Parrish says the claims are bogus.

Anyone receiving unsolicited calls requesting financial or personal information should hang up and contact local authorities.