By Betsy Finklea
Latta Police Chief Crystal Moore is warning the public about various  telephone scams that have occurred recently in the Latta area.
Chief Moore said various scams have been reported. One resident has reported a scam where she was told a relative is in a foreign country (Mexico) and needs money wired to him. Two other residents were told they won a car and to wire approximately $400 to collect it. Another person was told he won $1 million and a Malibu. Some people are getting calls that appear to be from their own phone lines. Another person was told that the caller was trying to raise money for an agency. Other callers are impersonating banks.
The phone numbers appear to be located in the United States. During the investigation into one of these matters, the police department learned that while one of these calls appeared to be from Ohio, it was in fact from Jamaica.
Chief Moore urges the public not to give out personal or financial information over the telephone. Also, she said the public should not wire money to anyone.
Anyone with questions should contact the Latta Police Department or their local law enforcement agency.