Elderly TRE woman sends $300 in car scam

A 79-year-old Topaz Ranch Estates woman said she sent $300 to a Huntsville, Texas, address after she was told she had won a car in a drawing.

The victim told deputies she received a telephone call Dec. 2 that she won the vehicle and needed to send $300 to an address in Huntsville. The woman said she bought a money order and sent the check by overnight mail.

The next day, the woman said she received numerous telephone calls from the same man asking if she sent the $300 and telling her she needed to send an additional $1,100.

She became suspicious and reported the incident to the sheriff's office. Citizen Patrol Officer Stan Kapler spoke with the man and told him to return the money.

The victim said she couldn't remember if she provided the man with her Social Security number or other personal information. She said she did not turn over bank or credit card information.

The sheriff's office forwarded the complaint to the Huntsville police department for follow-up.