Police warn of phone scam

RICHFIELD TWP. — Police Chief Larry Gritzinger is advising residents to be careful of returning phone calls to unfamiliar numbers — it might be a costly scam.

Gritzinger said police agencies are warning citizens not to return calls to phone numbers starting with area codes 809, 284 or 876 — all from the Dominican Republic.

He said voice mails and e-mails are being left for potential victims telling them to call back at a number with one of these area codes and when they do, they are being socked with exorbitant telephone expenses.

Gritzinger said the call can cost as much as $2,000 a minute and the phone company has told victims there is nothing they can do to reverse the charge because the customer willingly called the number. — Gary Gould