They prey on your worst fears, they tell you a family member is in trouble and then they ask for money, it's a typical Western Union scam. A Wausau woman would've fell for it, to the tune of $2,600, if it weren't for a Check N Go teller.
"He was officer Thomas Gordon from Mexico", said Karen of Wausau, who would like her last name withheld.
She got a phone call Wednesday afternoon from someone claiming to be with the American Embassy in Mexico.
The voice said her grandson was in a Mexico City jail on drug charges and needed $2,600 to get out.
The caller went to great lengths to make Karen believe the story.
"He said would you like to talk to your grandson and I said yes. So this young boy came on the phone that sounded very nervous and he said, grandma I'm in trouble can you help me", said Karen.
Thinking her grandson was in trouble, Karen rushed to the bank, withdrew the money and drove to the Check N Go on 24th Street in Wausau.
As Karen was attempting to wire the money across the border, Jessica Dickson, the store manager started asking questions, just like she had been trained to do.
"She told me it's for my grandson and he's in jail in Mexico and I said, no, this is fraud", said Dickson.
Dickson helped Karen call her grandson, who ended up being safe and sound on his college campus, that's when Karen realized scammers were trying to take her hard earned money.
"This gal really kind of saved my life and my life savings, so I appreciate her so much, she was just an angel", said Karen.
Dickson says, people try to pull these scams everyday in her line of work and while she appreciates the thanks, she says it's part of her job.
"It's my pleasure, it is my job. I said I want to make sure that you're comfortable with what you're going to do", said Dickson.
Wausau police are aware of the scam attempt, they warn you to be very careful anytime anyone is asking you for money or personal information.
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Teller Helps Woman Avoid Scam
