Salt Lake police are warning Utahns that a phone scam from Canada is aimed at their checkbooks.

The department received three fraud complaints in June from women ages 72 to 87 who were called by someone claiming to be their grandchild.

"In each instance, they receive a phone call from (a man or woman) claiming to have been in an accident, or they say they'd been picked up for a DUI," said Salt Lake Police Sgt. Robin Snyder. The caller requested that each woman wire $2,900 to $5,000 to a location in Vancouver, British Columbia, to cover costs for car repairs. In two of the instances, the caller asked the woman not to notify the parents to avoid getting in trouble.

Two women wired money, but one called other family members and determined that her grandchild was not in Canada and the caller was trying to scam her.

A police investigation has shown that the calls are originating from Canada. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Phone Center, the scam, known as the "Grandparent Scam" or "Emergency Scam," first appeared in 2007. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police reported that use of the scam doubled in popularity in 2008.

"With scams, it's always something different," Snyder said. She warned Utahns to be wary whenever someone asks to have money wired, especially if it's an international account. The department was unable to confirm whether the scam artists had called potential victims outside Salt Lake City.

Salt Lake Police advise anyone who receives one of the calls to verify the information before wiring any money. The department suggests calling the law enforcement agency that supposedly booked the grandchild and other family members to figure out if the caller's story is true. If Utah residents think they've been victims of the scam, the police department urges them to contact their local law enforcement agency.

E-MAIL: mmcfall@desnews.com