Scammer targeting neighborhoods across Medford

Medford, Ore. — A new scam hitting Medford is the talk of the town, and it’s hitting several different neighborhoods. Medford police say a man has been knocking on doors, pretending to the homeowner’s neighbor. Officers say he’ll tell the victim that he locked his keys and wallet in his car. He then asks for money to help pay for a tow truck that’s coming to assist him, and promises to repay the lender when the car is unlocked.

Police say this fraud has just recently been brought to their attention, but Vipul Mahajan told NBC5 News the scammer knocked on his door in late October.

“We just moved here, so I really didn’t know, I thought he was my neighbor,” Mahajan said. “This guy knocks on my door, and he’s like, ‘my car is locked, and I called the guy to unlock it, could you help me,’ and he needs some money.”

Mahajan did not provide any cash, but told the man he was welcome to wait inside.

“I said, ‘sorry, I don’t have cash, but I can, you can come in, and I can help you call that guy,’ and stuff,” Mahajan said. “But he said, ‘no, I really wanted the cash.”

Medford Police Sergeant Trevor Arnold said it’s a scam that’s swept much of the Medford area, however, they’re just now becoming aware of it.

“At least recently, I’m aware of in Patrol, we’ve been getting dozens of phone calls from people in different neighborhoods,” Sgt. Arnold said. “We’re getting a lot of calls about him, some people that give him money, some that don’t.”

Police say the scammer has eluded them. While people are making the reports, Sgt. Arnold said in order to catch him, time is of the essence.

“If we don’t get the call until later in the day or a few hours later, it doesn’t give us much of an opportunity to find that person,” Sgt. Arnold said. “We need that phone call when it’s happening or shortly after.”

According to police, the suspect will be facing theft charges, if caught. Depending on how much money has been taken, they could be felony charges. If you do have any information, call Medford Police.

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