A new scam is making its way into Western Wisconsin and some people have already fallen for it.

The scammers are trying to take advantage of families who are told a loved one has been in a car crash.

Mary Shock of Holcombe says she's lucky she didn't fall for a scam asking her for $4,500. She says she still can't believe these people could find her in her small town.

It's a phone call no family wants to get.

Mary Shock says, "The phone rang. He said grandma, this is Abe, I'm in Canada with Dave, my friend Dave and we had a bad car accident. We can't get back from Canada until we can pay for this car that's been wrecked. I hate to ask you grandma for the money, but he said I just didn't know what to do."

Mary Shock of Holcombe didn't know it at the time, but the man on the line was just trying to set her up for a scam. She did know that something wasn't right.

Mary Shock says, "I said Abe, you don't sound like yourself. He said that's because of this bad cold I have. He said earlier in the week I was really sick, but I'm somewhat better now."

Shock says she told her grandson she wouldn't be able to get the needed $4,500 to fix the car right at that moment.

Mary Shock says, "He said, okay grandma. He says if you can't do it, I'll call my dad. But he said I'll be calling you in a little while to let you know if I got the money and what my dad said."

In a panic, Shock says she immediately called her daughter; who told her Abe was safe and sound at work in Oshkosh. Shock says she can't believe how in-depth the caller knew her family.

Mary Shock says, "My grandson is my maternal grandson, so we don't even share the same last name."

Shock says if she would have known this type of thing could happen over the phone, she would have asked questions to make sure it wasn't a hoax.

Mary Shock says, "But who in your wildest dreams would think that you'd get a phone call like this."

Still in disbelief, Shock says it's hard to put this behind her.

Mary Shock says, "I can't describe it to anybody until it happens to them. To know my identity like that close and to have called me with this type of phone call."

And she wants others to be aware this scam is happening right in our area.

Mary Shock says, "If anyone else has it happen to them, question it. Don't take it for granted that this is your grandson calling."

The Rusk County Sheriff says the department hasn't heard of this scam before in the area.

But, the City of Eau Claire has already seen 4 cases of it, one person actually sending money.

If you get a phone call like this, the Eau Claire Police Department says be careful.

Officer Jason Kaveney says check out the situation and make phone calls to other family members to make sure it's not a trick.

Kaveney says don't give out any important information over the phone, such as your social security number or bank account information.

Jason Kaveney says, "Anytime anything involves money, especially when you're going to transfer it or anything like that, ask a family member their opinion, ask for a second opinion because someone outside of the heat of the moment might think a little clearer."

Kaveney says call your local police department right away if you think a scammer just called you.