DUNMORE, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A 93-year-old woman is being praised by law enforcement for her handling of an attempted phone scam and her efforts to warn others about the scam.
The Lackawanna County resident called the 28/22 News I-Team because she wanted to prevent others from possibly becoming a victim.
If the scammers thought they had found an easy mark, they quickly learned they had met their match.
"They're trying to give me money, they want to give me $8,000,000," 93-year-old Fran from Lackawanna County told 28/22 News.
But wasn't having any of it.
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"They said I won it. I didn't apply for anything or win. I can't see how I won anything. I didn't buy a ticket," Fran said.
Fran says she played along with the scam.
"They wanted to come here to the house?" 28/22 News I-Team Reporter Andy Mehalshick asked.
"Yeah, oh yeah. He's coming with the money, and when I said, 'Ok, good, I'll have my family here with you. What time are you coming?' He hung up. He slammed the phone, but he called the next day," Fran explained.
The next day, the scammer must have realized Fran would not be a victim.
"He said he had the money and he was going to bring it out, and I told him, 'Give it to Goodwill,'" Fran continued.
"So often I think these scammers target elderly individuals because they're trusting. They, they're financially secure," Lackawanna County District Attorney Brian Gallagher stated.
District Attorney Gallagher says Fran handled the scammer perfectly, that they were trying to get her personal information, such as her bank account and social security numbers.
"Luckily, this 93-year-old woman knew it was a scam, was smart enough to recognize it, and called, and that's going to help us investigate these actors to make sure no one is taken advantage of," District Attorney Gallagher added.
Fran says she called the I-Team, hoping to warn others about the scam.
"How does it feel to help people out?" Mehalshick asked.
"Well, I always did, you know, if I could help them, I do. That's my nature," Fran said.
"And you will," Mehalshick added.
"I hope so. I really hope so," Fran replied.
The DA says if you receive any scam calls, report them to law enforcement.
