Full Notification

The Macungie Police received information from a resident about a suspicious phone call. The call was made to the resident's cellphone and the number displayed was from the local (484) area code. The resident declined the call not knowing who it was and sent a text message asking who it was. A reply was received stating it was an emergency and requested a call back. When asked a second time, the caller sent the following text, "This is your family not mine so if you don't care about your family that's your business. I just going to leave this guy on the floor how he is and keep going my way."

A call back was made and a male with a throaty Spanish accent was yelling in the phone "your loved one, your loved one, your family member." The male went on to say a family member was in a serious accident and was there with the caller. He stated the family was unable to talk due to a broken jaw. The caller never revealed who the injured family member was and never demanded money. When asked who the family member was, he became vulgar and the call was terminated by the resident.

I called the number back and a male with a throaty Spanish accent answered. He asked who I was and I told him I received a call that a family member was allegedly involved in an accident and I was supposed to call the number back. He asked for my name again (not sure why) and went on to say a male was injured and he needed to know what color car the family member would have been driving. After a few more questions I asked him why he didn't call 911 for my family member. He had no answer and continued to divert from the question. I did ask him where he wanted me to send money but he never implied he wanted money. He said something in Spanish and shortly after he hung up on me.

At this time it is unknown if a money scam was the ploy. Several similar calls have been reported in the area where the caller demands money for taking the family for treatment or releasing the family member.

A few tips to consider if you receive such a call.
* Ask questions, attempt to get the family members name
* NEVER send money to someone through pre-paid cards or money gram type of services
* Contact the police and most definitely make some calls to be sure the family member is safe.
* Ask for a phone number to return his/her call and tell them you will call them back after you check with your family.

Some of the "red flags" I found when I called the male back.
* He refused to answer my questions
* He asked me what my name was
* He asked me what color car my family member was driving
* He specifically said he needed my name to check which family I was calling about
* He diverted from the question ...did you call 911 for my family member.
* He never realized I CALLED HIM, he never called me

This and many other scam attempts are becoming too frequent. Scare tactics and fear is being used to talk people in to sending money only to find out later that the call was a scam. Be cautious and ask questions! When in doubt, call the police.