Salina Police are urging citizens to be on guard against criminal schemes over the telephone after two women contacted SPD this week.

Police Sergeant Jim Feldman tells KSAL News that an 87-year-old Salina woman was contacted last week over the telephone by a person telling her she had won $2 million dollars.

The schemer convinced the woman she would receive her winnings after she paid taxes. She called police after sending $650 via money gram, only to discover she had been deceived.

Police also heard about a scammer who called a 45-year-old Salina woman, claiming to be from the IRS.

The woman said the person repeatedly called her telephone and demanded she pay a fine or have her bank account seized and be sent to jail.

The woman called SPD instead.

Salina Police Share this advice regarding scam calls:

Have you been contacted under the following circumstances?
The person was claiming to be with the Internal Revenue Service or police department threatening to arrest you for not paying your taxes. You were instructed to send payment using a pre-paid money card.
You were told you have won a prize but would have to send money for taxes or other services via Western Union before the prize could be claimed.
If you were contacted about an item you had for sale and the buyer sent you a money order for more than the amount listed. You were instructed to cash the check and send the remaining amount back via Western Union.
You were contacted from someone claiming to be from Microsoft and that you have a virus on your computer. You were then offered a service plan to help protect your computer.
You were told a relative had been arrested in a foreign country and to send money via Western Union to help him/her get out of jail.
You were contacted about becoming a secret shopper or some other job offer that required you to cash money orders and send the money via Western Union or prepaid money card.
These are some of the many tactics used by scammers. Please research the claim or seek advice from credible sources before sending money.

Don’t become a victim

Remember to Always:
Never disclose card numbers to someone you do not know.
Avoid websites or offers requesting payment via a prepaid money card..
Never use a pre-paid card to pay taxes or claim ‘winnings.’