Beware phone scam

Cherokee County Sheriff Bill Blanton is warning area residents to be wary of a phone scam that cost a local woman an overseas phone bill.

According to the sheriff, an elderly woman received a late night phone call a few days ago during which the caller informed the woman she owed a large sum of money. The sheriff said the woman told the caller she didn't owe any money and asked the caller what she should do.

Blanton said the caller told the woman to press the number 1 on her phone. She did this and the caller hung up. Then the caller called overseas and the amount for this call was put on the woman's phone bill.

Blanton said citizens should be aware of this scam and if anyone receives an unsolicited call during which they're asked to press a number on their phone, they should hang up.

(Tim Gulla - Ledger Staff Writer)