Phone Scam Hits Lamoille
by Ben Hogwood

MORRISTOWN - Morristown Police believe the culprits behind a phone scam
asking for money for the Vermont Food Shelf may be local, said
Morristown Police Chief Richard Keith.
According to a press release from the Vermont Foodbank, a female has
been calling residents in Lamoille County and other parts of the state
attempting to sell magazine subscriptions. The caller tells the victim
that a portion of the money will go towards the Foodbank or a local food
shelf.
"The Vermont Foodbank and their agencies have no knowledge of any
magazine sales fundraisers that are to benefit these organizations," a
press release from the foodbank states. The female asks for both credit
card information and a social security number.
Chief Keith said the MPD has received approximately six calls regarding
the phone scam, with some people giving out their credit card number. So
far, however, no funds have been drawn from those accounts.
Calls have also been reported in Wolcott and Johnson.
In addition to the Morristown Police, the United States Postal Service
is also working on this case in which the female gives out a P.O. Box
where the victims can send money, said Keith.
Keith urges anyone who has received one of these calls to contact the
police department - especially those who gave out a credit card or
social security number - at 888-4211.
"We need to get a good idea how many people they called," he said.