The Lower Saucon Township Police Department issued a phone scam alert Wednesday, after several residents reported receiving phone calls from a number associated with several scam attempts.
On the police department’s Facebook page the number was listed as 610-790-7814.
Police said the phony phone calls are from a man who tells people “that a relative was involved in an accident and money (is) needed for treatment of injuries.”
“Upon further inquiry as to the specific details of the accident the caller becomes agitated, aggressive and threatening,” police said.
“This is consistent with scams of this nature,” they added. “Please be cautious with reacting immediately without inquiring as to the details.”
According to a posting dated May 28, 2015 on the website forum BassBarn.com, someone who called from that number told a victim that his brother was badly hurt in a car accident, couldn’t speak and was being held hostage.
On another website, WhoCalledMe.com, an anonymous poster wrote that the caller “said my dad was in an accident, then threatened to kill him if I didn’t meet him and pay him off. After I pushed back and starting yelling at him, he told me ‘your dad is dead’ and hung up.”
Another anonymous contributor wrote the following:
The guy with a Hispanic accent told me that one of my family members was involved in an accident and hit his nephew. He said his nephew was pinned in between the vehicle and his arm might have to be amputated. He then proceeded to tell me when my family member tried to call 911 his nephew kidnapped took him to an apartment and he wants to help me before he comes back because he is willing to do anything because they are wanted by the police. I asked him how did you get my name and phone number and he said my family member dialed the phone. I contacted my family and they were not in any accident or kidnapped. He also contacted my mother in law with the same story around the same time.
All of the reported scam attempts associated with the number 610-790-7814 are from within the last six weeks.
A reverse phone number lookup on the website WhitePages.com indicates that it is an AT&T mobile number from Reading, Berks County.
Additional complaints are posted on that website.
Suspected scams can be reported to the Lower Saucon Township Police Department by calling 610-317-6110.
