(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County Police are warning and alerting elderly citizens of a recurring telephone scam.

Police said citizens have been receiving unsolicited calls from subjects purporting to be their family member, specifically a granddaughter or grandson.   The scammer tells the citizen they have been arrested and need bail money. 

From time to time, police said targets of the scam receive a second call from a subject claiming to be a lawyer representing the arrested family member.  The scammer directs the citizen to either send them a large sum of money or meet them at a specific location.

To avoid such calls, police said people should block unwanted calls and text messages.  If such unexpected calls are received, police advise you should never give personal or financial information, resist pressure to give cash immediately and seek advice from a friend or someone you trust about the encounter.