New Phone Scam Targets Seniors, Cherry Hill Police Warn

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Authorities in Cherry Hill on Thursday issued a warning to residents about an ongoing scam that has targeted seniors over the last several months.

According to police, scammers posing as lawyers call victims and claim a child or grandchild has been arrested and needs to be bailed out of jail.

The scammer then instructs the victim to collect cash from the bank and wait at home, where someone pretending to be a bail bondsman comes to collect the money, police said. In other instances, the victim is asked to send money to various locations across the country.

Police said one person was arrested in connection to the scam, but it has not put a stop to repeated attempts to take money from elderly residents.

Residents who receive a call asking for money are asked to write down the caller's phone number then hang up.

Before sending money to a person over the phone, residents should always call the person who is said to have been arrested or call the jail or facility where the family member is said to be held.

Anyone with information about the scam is asked to call police at (856) 488-7828 or submit an anonymous tip by emailing tips@cherryhillpolice.com. Tips can also be submitted by texting TIP CHERRYHILLPD to 888777. Residents can also submit tips online.