Greetings Net,

I hope that this e-mail finds you well, wrapping up 2011 with treasured memories of times shared with family and friends, Unfortunately, I know that there are some Rockledge neighbors that are not so fortunate; which leads me to the purpose of this alert. The following is provided (n part) by the Rockledge Police Department, disseminating another “scam” alert – this one via telephone. The victim is a senior citizen who is over 90 years of age; taken advantage of by the criminal element because she let her guard down and displayed trust and kindness.

If you or someone you know have received calls similar to the scenario provided below, contact your local law enforcement agency immediately. Because this type of scam has no boundaries for where it can be played out, please consider passing this on to others you know outside of Rockledge – I suspect we are not the only city considered as a target of opportunity.

The information and scenario provided by the Rockledge Police Department (below) has been modified as not to disclose the personal information of the victim and other sensitive information.

Please be vigilant, be involved and be safe, and report the suspicious activity of others.

Network Administrator

———- Forwarded message (modified and provided by the net in part) ———-

Date: Sun, Dec 25, 2011 at 7:27 PM

Subject: ELDERLY FRAUD

On 23 December 2011, at approximately 11:29 am, Rockledge Police Department received a phone call from the daughter of a resident concerning her mother, who is over 90 years old. The daughter found out that her mother had sent about $500 to an unknown man which she had met via a phone call. The daughter advised that she was concerned as the unknown man had talked her mother into adding his name as an authorized account user/holder. The daughter further stated that all telephone calls from this individual were from a blocked or restricted telephone number.

A Rockledge Police Department LEO (law enforcement officer) responded to the mother’s house, prompted by the daughter’s call. The mother revealed to the LEO that she received a phone call from a man introducing himself as Ronald; she did not know him. He called a number of times over a period of three to four weeks. Over that period of time he had asked her small bits of information. He learned that she lived alone in a condominium and that she has a dog. She said the man had the sweetest voice and that they talked about a number of things, much of which she could not remember.

About a week ago he called and asked that she return $500 which he had deposited into her bank account. She agreed to do that and added the name “Tommy Grubbs” to the account at the man’s request. She said that the man arranged for a taxi cab go to her condo to pick her up and take her to a local bank in Cocoa, Florida. At the bank she withdrew $500 in cash, but kept $20 as she had to pay for the taxi out of her own funds. She then mailed the cash to “Ronald Mize” in Indiana; a mailing address was provided. The man later called to confirm whether or not she had sent the money – she did. He has not called her since.

She presented the LEO a new credit card, which she had recently received, but had not ordered. Besides her name, an individual by name of “Levon Johnson” was on it, with a newly increased credit limit of $13,000.

The LEO has since assisted her with preventing blocked telephone numbers from being able to call her, ensured all unwanted persons were removed from accessing her bank accounts, and verified with the bank that the new credit card was cancelled. The bank, which is a nationwide bank, was unable to access and/or locate any record of “Tommy Grubbs”, “Levon Johnson” or “Ronald Mize” being associated with the victim’s account.

The requisite Indiana law enforcement agency and Rockledge Police Department are coordinating their efforts to investigate this criminal act against an elderly person.