Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City Police Department informs residents about a phone scam that has cost two Valley City residents thousands of dollars.

Lt. Dana Rustebakke says in the most recent report on September 28, 2017, was from a woman who was scammed out of  $7,000.

During the calls, scammers said they were police officers and had arrested a family member of the victim, and to send bond money for their release.

The call victim was then contacted asking for more money saying that a judge ordered a fine and requested more money.

That sent up a “red flag,” and she called law enforcement

Rustebakke says it’s the second report to police in the last two weeks from Valley City residents.

Valley City Police reminds residents that no law enforcement agency calls a family member requesting money to bail someone out of jail and no law enforcement agency calls asks anyone to send cash via UPS, FedEx, or through the U.S. Mail.

Anyone receiving such a call, should hang up and call Valley City Police  or the Barnes County Sheriff’s Office.