A Lampasas woman learned an expensive lesson when she lost nearly $8,000 over several days in a new phone scam, and Lampasas Police Chief Tim Angermann said he hopes residents will be cautious if they are asked for money over the phone.

The resident said she received a phone call from a young man who claimed to be her grandson. He told her he was on a road trip to Quebec, Canada, and he was in trouble and needed help. The grandson asked his grandmother to wire him $4,500. A second call was from a man who said he was the grandson’s attorney. He requested an additional $3,300, and the Lampasas woman complied.

After she wired funds twice, she phoned her grandson, and he told his grandmother he had not made any calls requesting money. The woman said the caller sounded just like her grandson, and she had no reason to believe it was not him.

The police chief encouraged residents who receive requests for money over the phone to be sure they verify who they are dealing with. “Take extra steps to follow through and see if it really is a valid request if they ask for large sums of money, or if you are about to be scammed,” Angermann said.

“These crooks have done their homework,” the chief said, noting they are becoming more proficient at their game. “They are getting smarter and smarter when they are trying to get money from people.” Con artists will use any trick, and they will say anything as long as it leads them to money, he said.

An investigation has been opened, federal officers were contacted, and subpoenas will soon be issued, Angermann said, but the chances of the Lampasas woman recovering her funds are pretty slim, he added.