By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

After a Hays woman lost approximately $2,000 this week due to a phone scam, the Hays Police Department once again is warning residents to be wary.

According to Lt. Ron Rounkles, the victim fell for the what he called a “typical scam.” She was asked to deposit a check and send some of the money to someone who needed help — then keep part of the money for herself. In this instance, the woman did as directed and later was contacted by her bank when the check bounced.

Rounkles also said yet another Hays resident reported the “Publishers Clearing House Scam,” in which someone calls and and tells the intended victims they have won cash and a car but must first send money to register the car.

A half-dozen people have reported the “Publishers Clearing House Scam” to recent weeks.  Fortunately, Rounkles said, most people do not fall for the scams, but when they do, it is almost always impossible for  police to follow up as the scams usually originate overseas — far from the jurisdiction of Hays police.