Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 4, 1995 TAG: 9511060025
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Frank Graves, chairman of the Triad Seniors and Law Enforcement Together Council, said a bank examiner scheme has surfaced in Winston-Salem, where victims are contacted by someone purporting to be a bank examiner or police chief. The victims are told they can help catch a dishonest bank employee suspected of diverting money from customers' accounts. The scam artist tries to persuade victims to withdraw money from their accounts and deliver it to the caller.
"These con artists are very good and very convincing," Christiansburg Police Chief Ron Lemons said. "We do have many citizens who assist us in many investigations of different types, but we will not ask you to withdraw money from your account."
The Christiansburg SALT council works to educate and warn senior citizens of crimes directed toward them. For information about the organization, call Graves or Lemons at 382-3131.
Meanwhile, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office has joined Blacksburg and Christiansburg police in warning about another possible scam where fund-raisers lead callers to believe donating money to a law enforcement coalition will directly benefit local departments.
The Sheriff's Office said this week it has received complaints about a group trying to obtain money by using a police agency's name.
Sgt. John Yon said a caller has been identifying himself as a member of either the Police Coalition or the Deputy Sheriff's Coalition, and asking for donations of at least $35.
The coalition is not affiliated with the Sheriff's Office. Late last month, Christiansburg and Blacksburg police also warned residents they were not soliciting donations either.
by CNB