(Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND — Scammers impersonating the Hall County Sheriff’s Office demanded money from a Grand Island resident during the morning of Wednesday, Aug. 20.
According to the Grand Island Police Department, officers took a report of theft by deception.
A 70-year-old man advised he had received a call from someone claiming to work for the Hall County Sheriff’s Office and demanded money due to an arrest warrant issued for his arrest in the amount of $2,000.
The Grand Island Police Department is investigating the incident.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, scammers frequently impersonate law enforcement to seem legitimate.
“To avoid being arrested, they might tell you to send cash, deposit money at a Bitcoin ATM, buy gift cards and give them the numbers, or send money over a payment app like Zelle, Cash App, or Venmo,” the FTC states.
“On the phone, scammers often spoof caller ID information, so fraudulent calls appear to be coming from an agency’s legitimate phone number. Recipients should hang up immediately and report the call to law enforcement,” per the FBI.
To avoid becoming a victim of this scam:
- Be wary of answering phone calls from numbers you do not recognize.
- Do not send money to anybody that you do not personally know and trust.
- Never give out your personal information, including your Social Security number, over the phone or to individuals you do not know.
