Joliet Police Warn Residents of Phone Scam

Joliet police are warning residents to be wary if they get a call demanding money to bail a relative out of jail.

"Victims are recieving phone calls from someone claiming to be a police officer or a relative of the victim and money must be sent to get the relative out of jail," police said Friday. "So far, all locations where the money is being requested to be sent to [are] out of state. They have demand cash (sent via Fed Ex), or a Green Dot Cash card ... The suspects are targeting the elderly so please reach out to anyone older and make them aware of this scam."

Last month, police warned business owners of a similar scam using a Green Dot Cash card, this one targeting business owners.

"Area businesses are being called and told that they owe money for a utility bill and it must be paid in the next 45 minutes or the utility will be shut off," police said. "They then state that the payment must be made by a Green Dot Cash card."

• Phone Scam Targets Joliet Businesses