Wisconsin Sheriff’s Department Warns Of Warrant Phone Scam
This doesn't come as a huge surprise: a sheriff's department in Wisconsin is warning residents of a scam that is circulating in the state.
The Barron County Sheriff's Department shared about the scam on their Facebook page (February 10), stating that they have received calls from citizens in the areas regarding the very same scam.
Residents of the area that reported the scam say they received a phone call. On the other end of the line, a scammer was posing as a deputy from the department, stating that if the citizen hung up, a warrant would be issued for their arrest. Once they get past that part, the scammer tries to con the person on the other end of the line into handing over money.
The Barron County Sheriff's Department is reminding everyone that they will never issue a warrant over the phone and certainly would never threaten someone in this way. They also state they will not ask for money or gift cards over the phone.
If you receive a call like this, you are asked to hang up and call them back on their non-emergency line. That number is 715-537-3106.
Barron County is less than two hours from the Duluth / Superior area so it is not out of the question that the scam could hit those in our immediate area.
As always, be wary of phone calls like this and hang up. If you receive a call like this, hang up and call the organization or department back on one of their legitimate lines.