I was sitting at my desk inside the Independent office Tuesday afternoon when my phone indicated I had an incoming call. I looked down at it and saw “Mom” on the screen.

My mind began racing immediately. It would be unusual for my mother, who lives in Wisconsin, to call me when she knows I would be at work.

But my 80-year-old dad has been recovering from a recent heart valve surgery and one of my brothers was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. My first thought was bad news.

“Mom.” I answered. “I got a call from Matt,” she said. Matt is my son who lives in California. “He said, ‘this is your grandson.’ I told him he sounds funny,” my mom continued.

I quickly interrupted her. “Matt would never say ‘this is your grandson,’ “ I said.

“Well, he said he was in a car accident and the airbag hit his face and broke his nose. That’s why he sounds funny,” my mom said. “He also said he was arrested for drunk driving and he needs $900 to get out of jail. He said a lawyer will be calling in 10 minutes to tell you where to send the money. He also said don’t call my dad. I’ll tell him later.”

“Mom, that sounds like a scam. Are you sure it was him,” I asked. “Well, he sounded funny. But he did say he broke his nose,” she answered. “The lawyer hasn’t called yet. I told him I’m calling your dad. He said ‘don’t do that. Please, wait for the call from the lawyer.’ He then hung up.”

” I called Joe (my brother who also lives in California). He’s taking the day off to get him (Matt) the money. But we don’t know what jail he’s in. And now he’s not answering his phone.” I knew my son should be at work. I also know he usually doesn’t answer his phone while at work. But I knew anything is possible. However, drinking and driving would be out of character for my son.

“OK mom, I’m going to make some phone calls. I’ll get back to you,” I said. I then hung up.

I immediately sent a text to my son. I knew he always carried his phone at work and should see the text.

My first phone call was to the San Bernardino County Detention Center in Southern California. I knew if he was arrested anywhere in San Bernardino County, that’s where he would be held. After about 10 rings, somebody answered.

“I need to know if you have anybody incarcerated by the name of “Matthew Lamb.”

“What’s his birthday?” she asked.

I gave it to her and there was a short pause as she checked her records.

“No. We don’t have any record of him. It’s possible if he was arrested early this morning that his records are not up yet,” she said.

“OK, I’ll call later,” I said.

A few minutes later, “Matt” showed up on the screen of my phone as incoming call.

“Hi Dad,” the voice on the other end said.

“Are you OK?” I asked.

“Yea, why do you ask?” he answered.

“Well your grandmother got a call from someone who said he was you. You were in a car accident and in jail for drunk driving. You needed $900,” I told him.

“Dad, I’m fine,” he said.

“OK, I need to call Uncle Joe and your grandmother,” I said. And I hung up.

I immediately called my brother. Hopefully I would get a hold of him before he got too far from driving from Los Angeles to San Bernrdino.

I got a hold of him while he still was at home but he already called into work saying he needed to take the day off. He was getting ready to leave for San Bernardino. After I told him I got a hold of Matt and he was fine, there was a long pause.

“It sounds like you are crying,” I said.

“No, I’m laughing,” my brother said.

I then hung up with Joe and called mom.

“He’s OK,” I said.

“I should have done more to check things out. The lawyer never did call,” she said.

“Mom, don’t worry. These people look to scam senior citizens all the time. Anybody could have fallen for it,” I said.

I felt sorry for my brother who took the day off. While he laughed about it, this was really no laughing matter. I’m glad my son is OK, but my 78-year-old mom was victimized. While this scammer failed to get any money out of her, it no doubt left her a bit traumatized.

And with a lesson to be learned — anyone can be a target.

You can follow Mike Lamb at Twitter@indymlamb