New Castle police are seeing a rash of identity theft reports, with senior citizens reporting that they were being targeted by people claiming their relatives are in trouble.

According to Det. Sgt. James Wilson, three reports have been made since Friday by three elderly Chappaqua men. One made, 90, reported being asked for $4,500, an 85 year old for $3,500 and an 80 year old for $2,500. All three calls involved supposed members of their families being in trouble or injured, Wilson explained, and asked for money to be wired overseas via Western Union.

"It's a very common scam," Wilson said.

Police sent out an online alert about the situation on Monday afternoon to warn the public and noted that the senior citizens were tricked into giving names of grandchildren, which were then used on subsequent calls to warn of their supposed problems.