The Weyburn Police Service is cautioning residents about a pair of phone scams which have been targeting residents as of late.

The first scam is using a well-known fundraiser to try to lure people in. Residents have been receiving phone calls from someone claiming to be with the STARS Home Lottery, which raises money for the STARS Air Ambulance Service. The callers say the potential victim has won a truck, and they just need to pay for the shipping fees to have the truck delivered.

The STARS Home Lottery hasn’t closed the ticket sales period, so there haven’t been any draws as of yet. As well, police advise a lottery draw like the STARS Home Lottery, or any other sort of contest, would not ask for the winner of a prize to pay a sum of money before delivery of it.

The other set of fraudulent calls going around is the grandparent/grandchild scam. Generally a little more targeted than others, it involves a phone call from someone claiming to be a police officer from an out of town jurisdiction. They tell the potential victim their grandchild (or son/daughter/cousin/etc.) has been arrested or is in some sort of trouble. To help the family member out, they ask the potential victim to pay for bail, or some other fine or fee. They request the money be paid in the form of an iTunes card.

Weyburn Police are quick to point out the police do not take iTune cards as any form of payment. If you suspect the call you are receiving may be a scam, request a call back number, and the name of the officer, then call the police department directly to confirm the situation.

Police also advise you shouldn’t provide any personal information over the phone to someone you don’t know, or if you suspect the call may be fraudulent.