72soul / Depositphotos.com
The frequency of attempts to scam people out of money over the telephone has taken an uptick in area counties lately, and the tactics used to deceive are getting more sophisticated at the same time.
After reports of the surge came from Manitowoc County, Winnebago County has now noted its own experience with scammers identifying themselves as a Lieutenant Canaldis, Badge #239 from the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office Citation Division using the common “failed jury duty” claim to initiate the call. Another scammer used the name of Lieutenant Harry Smith requesting a call back at a number that does not belong to the Sheriff’s Office.
Similar to other recent examples, these callers are coercing victims into meeting in-person to confirm signatures – samples of which can be used for forgery.
The most universal aspect between all scams is that legitimate agencies will NEVER make such approaches over the phone. Anyone receiving such a call should simply hang up, while questions can be directed to real, local law enforcement agencies.
Comments