Phony Calls

Phony phone calls are occurring around our region. State police are warning people about a phony police officer calling for cash. Police say a man claiming to be a state trooper would call and say a relative has been in an accident and needs money to pay a traffic fine. The phony trooper would advise the person on the phone how to wire money to a Western Union office in New York City. Investigator Angelo Sblendorio says people have been duped in Brewster, Bedford, Dutchess County and Greenwich, Connecticut. Police say in several of the cases the phony trooper would Identify himself as trooper Mike Phillips. Investigator Sblendorio says police don't ask for money over the phone. And anyone getting such a call should call their local police.