Scammers Impersonating Law Enforcement in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin

Imagine this: you receive a call from someone claiming to be the county sheriff, complete with your legal name and a local callback number. Sounds legitimate, right? Unfortunately, this is exactly how scammers are targeting unsuspecting residents in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. They’re posing as police officers or sheriff’s deputies, hoping to scare you into handing over personal information or money.

A Local Resident's Warning

Recently, a concerned citizen from Scott County, Iowa, shared a chilling post on Facebook including a screenshot from their voicemail box:

"PSA there is a phone scam going on right now where a scammer/caller is impersonating our county sheriff (by name) with a 563 callback number. They also used my legal name when leaving a message. I spoke with the ACTUAL sheriff's department and they are aware of this scam. Please be careful and always call back a searchable number, not the number left on an unknown voicemail." -A. Wright

This isn't an isolated incident. In the comments of the same post, another resident reported a similar experience:

"Family received similar last week claiming to be the Scott County Processing Office. He went by the last name Broderick and called off this number. Unfortunately, the transcribing is working to post that here, but called her by her full name and all." - A.White

Official Alerts from Law Enforcement

It's not just Scott County facing this issue. The Vernon County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin has also issued a stern warning:

"SCAM ALERT! Today, August 5th, I received two calls from citizens in our great community reporting suspicious phone calls. Someone claiming to be a sergeant from the Sheriff's Office told both that he was calling to verify their information. Although we use the phone as a tool for regular communication at the Sheriff's Office, always be aware of bad actors out there. The number in question was 608-480-8496. We have no such number, but with today's technology, a number can easily be misrepresented. If in doubt, hang up and call the Sheriff's Office using a published number you know to be legitimate." - Sheriff Roy Torgerson

Sheriff Torgerson also posted a video explaining the scam in further detail, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and verification:

How to Protect Yourself

1. Verify the Caller: If you receive a call from someone claiming to be law enforcement, hang up and call back using a publicly listed number for the relevant police or sheriff’s department.
2. Do Not Share Personal Information: Never give out personal information, such as your Social Security number, bank details, or address, to unsolicited callers.
3. Report Suspicious Calls: If you receive a suspicious call, report it to your local law enforcement agency. They can provide guidance and potentially prevent others from falling victim to the scam.
4. Spread the Word: Inform friends, family, and neighbors about these scams. The more people know, the harder it will be for scammers to succeed.

Stay Safe and Informed

Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, but with vigilance and caution, you can protect yourself and your loved ones. Always remember, legitimate law enforcement officers will never demand money or personal information over the phone. Stay alert and stay safe!

For more information and updates, follow your local sheriff’s office on social media and keep an eye out for community alerts. Together, we can put a stop to these fraudulent schemes.