Norridgewock woman wise to telephone scam

NORRIDGEWOCK, Maine — A local woman wasn’t fooled by an apparent telephone scam, but is worried others might fall for it.

Norridgewock’s Susan Gervais said she has been called several times a day by a man telling her she has won $1 million.

But in order to collect the money, she would have to go to Walmart, put $120 onto a credit card and send it to them in the mail.

“It doesn’t make any sense,” Gervais said. “I’m on Social Security. I’m figuring they’re just targeting the elderly. I just want people warned.”

Gervais said the man calls her upwards of 10 times per day.

“It’s ridiculous. I get to so I don’t answer it [anymore],” she said.

The man with a “foreign voice” called from a New York number, she said.

“When I said I didn’t have $120, he said, ‘How much do you have?’ I said, ‘You can have a penny if you want it,’” Gervais said. “I’d like to get my hands on this person and shake him. There’s no need of it.”

Bangor police Sgt. Chip Hodges said people should be wary of such claims.

“There’s the old adage: If it’s too good to be true, [it probably is],” said Hodges.

Hodges said those who think they may have received a telemarketing scam call should contact their local police department. People may also contact the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Response Center at 877-382-4357.