MERRIAM, Kan. -- A telephone scam artist is targeting retirees in the metro -prompting police to warn seniors of the old adage -- "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."
Virginia Thayer is very careful when it comes to protecting her 4-year-old granddaughter Maggie who she babysits. The same is not always true for her money.
"Just don't tell anybody is what they said," said Thayer.
The 74-year-old great-grandmother got a call from a man claiming to be a UPS worker. He told her he was delivering a check for $32,000 dollars, but she would need to pay a luxury tax to the IRS before he delivered the check.
"He told me I would have to pay a luxury tax of $2,700 dollars," said Thayer.
Three subsequent phone calls from someone claiming to be an IRS agent convinced Thayer to wire the money to Atlanta, Ga., through Western Union.
Shortly after Thayer wired the money, another woman called, claiming to be from Western Union. She told Thayer the money wire didn't work, and she needed to send another $2,700 dollars.
"Wasn't feeling ripped off at that particular time, initially. Then that second day, when I woke up and I could have smacked my self that day," said Thayer.
The Merriam Police Department has received two calls regarding phone scams within a two day time period. Lieutenant Mike Daniels says both victims were 74 years old and from Merriam, Kan.
In both incidents the caller used the name Tom Noland.
"What gets people is they start thinking about what they can do with the money, as opposed to why they're receiving the money," said Lt. Mike Daniels.
That is exactly what happened to Virginia Thayer. She had already planned to use the money to pay up the taxes on her home.
Thayer did refuse to wire the caller additional money. She hasn't received another phone call, or her check for $32,000 dollars.
The telephone scam nearly depleted her savings account. She hopes her costly mistake will help others.
Anyone who has information on a recent telephone scam should contact the Merriam Police Department at (913) 322-5560.
