Woman, 74, Loses $1,300 in Phone Scam

A new twist on an old telephone scam has left an elderly Ventura woman bilked out of more than $1,000, authorities said.

The 74-year-old woman received a call Wednesday from a man who claimed to be from First Bank of New York. “Mr. O’Mally,” as the man identified himself, was calling to inform the woman that she had won a $43,000 check from a well-known publishers sweepstakes and all she had to do to claim it was pay the taxes in advance, said Ventura Police Officer Lynn Klamser.

The woman received a second request for money Friday by a woman who identified herself as “Debra Campbell,” Klamser said.

The crooks told the woman to send the money by express mail to a post office box in Sacramento. She complied and sent about $1,300, said Sgt. Larry McBride.

McBride said this is the first time he has seen thieves use Publishers Clearinghouse to trick people out of their money. “Telephone scams are always taking a new little twist.” McBride said scam artists tend to prey on the elderly. Police warn that no one should send money to anyone claiming to hold a prize in their name.

The publishers sweepstakes does not require a cash advance from winners, Klamser said.