YSU Police Department warns of phone scam targeting parents of s - WFMJ.com News weather sports for Youngstown-Warren Ohio

The Youngstown State University Police Department is issuing a warning to students at the university and their parents of a phone scam targeting them.

According to a Penguin Alert message sent to university students and their family members, the message comes from a scammer impersonating the YSU Police Department telling parents that their son or daughter has been arrested.

The scammer will go on to say that if the would-be victim sends them money, their child will not be prosecuted. 

YSU Police are reminding students and parents that they never request money over the phone. Especially not through online payment apps such as Venmo, PayPal or Apple Pay. 

Anyone who has been contacted by this scammer should contact the YSU Police Department immediately at 330-941-3527.