San Angelo Citizens, Beware of Another Phone Scam

At approximately 2:30 p.m. today, the San Angelo Police Department sent out an alert about another recent scam activity in the community.

According to the alert, phone scammers tricked a local senior citizen into making payments over the phone for alleged electrical problems in her home. The scammers told her she needed to pay immediately to avoid a fire.

SAPD said officers learned the scammers instructed the victim to go to Wal-Mart and obtain a MoneyGram for $637. The scammers called her back a second time in an attempt to collect more money; however, that second attempt was thwarted when a concerned Wal-Mart employee questioned the woman’s activity. When this employee attempted to speak with the scammers, they abruptly hung up.

“Police later learned the scammers spoke Spanish and it is unknown if the victim was targeted because of her age,” the report stated.

At this time, police are investigating this incident. This is the second phone scam to hit the area this week. In Brownwood, citizens were told if they didn’t pay money through MoneyGram, their water would be disconnected. Someone noted on San Angelo LIVE!’s Facebook page that this also happened in Ballinger.

SAPD and city officials strongly urge the public not to make payments over the phone by credit card, Green Dot Money Card, or by MoneyGram. Also, never give any identifying information over the phone.

If anyone notifies you posing as repair people or utility providers and demand money or repair work and they threaten termination of service, hang up, call your utility service provider immediately and notify local law enforcement.

SAPD is also asking for the public to help spread this message with friends, family and acquaintances to help educate and prevent more incidents like this from occurring, especially amongst our elderly population.