(Michigan City) - Scammers have struck again in Michigan City.  The Michigan City Police Department reports that a resident was recently conned out of $500 over the phone.  The victim received a call from a Maryland area code with a message that her SSN number had been compromised.

Upon calling back, the victim was told her identity was being used by someone in Texas for drug dealing.  To protect her assets, the scammers told her to empty the contents of her bank account onto a gift card and text them a photo for verification.  She complied, and the money quickly disappeared.

Police, as always, advise ignoring robocalls, avoiding immediate payment requests via gift cards and money orders, and reporting suspicious phone requests.