ADULT SERVICES

Police want to send an urgent message of concern and caution to area senior citizens to be alert for this activity.

The first incident occurred when a 74 year old Springfield woman received a telephone call from a pleasant sounding man who identified himself as Mr. Montgomery.  Mr. Montgomery told the elderly woman that an error had been discovered in her bank account and calmly instructed the woman on what to do next.

The woman was told to go to her bank, withdraw $4,200 and meet him at a restaurant, and that he would see to it that her money was placed into the proper account. The man gave the woman a description of himself and the clothes he would be wearing. The woman did exactly as Mr. Montgomery instructed, and after meeting him and handing over the cash, she never saw him or her money again. The man called her back shortly after she returned home, thanking her for her help.

Another incident occurred when an 80 year old Springfield woman received a similar call, this time from a man identifying himself as Mr. Gillard.  In this case, Mr. Gillard told the woman that someone was taking money out of her account.  He went on to add that the woman needed to go to her bank immediately, write a check for $2,800 and cash it. She was told to meet the man a the parking lot. As in the first case, the woman followed the instruction of the caller and met him.  She handed over the money and was instructed by the man to wait 90 hours and then call her bank and change her account number.

Police want the elderly who live alone, or those who have an elderly relative under their control, to be aware of the circumstances and events described in these two accounts.