Saugus residents are advised to watch out for phone scams that have been taking place recently.

In nearby communities, two incidents have already been reported that have both been linked to people operating in Canada.

Just last week, a caller phoned a Wakefield woman, telling her that he was her son and that he needed  $2,200 to be wired to him immediately after being hurt in an accident in Canada. Luckily the woman suspected that it wasn’t her son and hung up the phone.

A similar incident took place in Melrose though this time it was a female calling. The person In called an elderly couple, claiming to be their granddaughter and convinced  them to wire $1,000 by saying that she needed the money for legal fees because she had been detained by the Canadian police following a traffic accident.

And on April 27, a resident from Davis Street also reported someone in Canada pretended to be his grandson and scammed him out of $2,900. It was the same modus operandi, the caller pretended to be the elderly man’s grandson and that he had been arrested and needed money for legal fees. The elderly man believed that his grandson was in trouble so he quickly went over to Shaw’s and wired the money.

Only after speaking to other family members did the victim realized that he had been scammed and then reported the incident to the police.

The victim also headed back to Shaw’s to try to stop the wire transfer but the transaction had already been completed.

Although Saugus Police are investigating the crime and will work with the Canadian police on this matter, Campanello remarked that scam victims frequently fail to receive restitution for the money they lose.

Residents who have experienced the same phone call scams or are suspicious of anyone calling them who might have similar interests, call the  Saugus Police immediately at 781-941-1199.