Waynesboro Police warn of scammers targeting locals

The Waynesboro Police Department is cautioning citizens on a variation of a popular phone scam that is reportedly targeting local residents.

A 57-year-old man reported that he received several phone calls from an organization saying they were part of the “Federal Government” but identified no department or agency by name.  The call-receiver indicated that he was told by the caller that the government had grants in the amount of $8,000 to give to citizens essentially with no strings attached.

The caller asked for a debit card or credit card number from the citizen who refused to give the caller the information.  The citizen said he has received nearly a dozen calls from the number associated with the suspected scam artist.  The number which has a Dallas, TX area code, i.e. 214, would show up without any name identified on the citizen’s caller ID.  Attempts to reach the number have been unsuccessful.

Local law enforcement officials urge anyone who receives calls of this nature to end the call immediately and not give out any personal information.