The Chilliwack RCMP are warning about phone scams targeting elderly residents.

On Jan. 31, Mounties responded to a residence in response to what appeared to be a telephone scam. The attending officer was able to intercept a second call to the residence and confirm that it was in fact a scam.

The scam began when an elderly woman received a phone call from someone claiming to be her adult grandson. The man told the elderly woman that he had been in a car accident in Montreal as a result of being impaired. He advised the woman to attend a Western Union office and send him $2,500 for his legal fees.

In an attempt to make the scam more believable, a second man posing as a lawyer came on the line to confirm his fee with the woman and that he needed the money right away. The call lasted just under an hour.

"This is not the first time we have come across this type of scam," said Cst. Tracy Wolbeck. "It is very stressful for the person receiving the call and they are often at a loss for what to do. It was very timely that our officer was at the residence for the second call and was able to speak directly to the suspect."

The RCMP would like the public to be aware that these types of scams are happening and to be very cautious when speaking to people who identify themselves as family members.

Mounties advise anyone who receives such a call to ask the caller something only a real family member would know: the name of a family pet growing up or inquire about a holiday the family went on together. If these questions cannot be answered accurately, disconnect and do not continue to engage the caller.