Scam targets seniors

One local senior citizen, Carolyn Smith, nearly fell for a convincing scam that would have cost her big bucks.

“I answered my telephone and the gentleman said, ‘This is Mark Bowen from the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, and we have a warrant out for your arrest,’ and he said I had not responded to letters for jury duty,” Smith said.
Smith was shaken when she got the call.

The caller told her if she put $1,800 in cash into a green dot card and gave him the card number she could avoid arrest. When she told the Fred Meyer employee why she needed the card, he told her it was a scam.

“If it had not been for him’ I would have had those two cards with $1,800 on them,” Smith said. “I feel sick and embarrassed that I was so gullible.”

Smith says she was shaken by the experience.

“All the way driving to town I’m thinking I’m under arrest,” Smith said. “I’m 74 years old and I’ve never had a speeding ticket yet, let alone being under arrest.”

Smith has this message for the caller.

“I’m ashamed of you. Work harder at making a good living honestly.”

County officials say they will not contact people by phone about missing jury duty. They will send a letter. They say if you get a phone call that is not legitimate, you should report the call to authorities.