Gloucester County Authorities Tracking Another Phone Scam

Just a few weeks after reports of phone scammers phishing for donations for a phony police charity, Gloucester County residents have again been targeted by con artists, according to the county prosecutor's office.

A flurry of suspicious telephone calls reportedly were made over the weekend, telling residents in West Deptford, Harrison Township, Pitman, Woodbury Heights, Paulsboro, and Mantua that "a loved one had been involved in an accident or was being held for ransom, and money was needed to assist."

"All residents reported hearing the voice of a male with a heavy Asian or Hispanic accent," according to a statement from the Gloucester County Prosecutor's office, which reported that "in no case was there an actual emergency."

None of the individuals gave the callers money, authorities said.

Gloucester County Prosecutor Sean F. Dalton advised that anyone receiving such a call should "ask a question about the family member involved in a supposed emergency that the caller would not be able to answer, such as the relative’s age or a sibling’s name.

“That will usually result in a quick hang-up,” Dalton said in a statement. 

“Then check directly with the relative.”