Star Journal Report

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is passing along information on a couple of new scams in the area.  A press release stated that a local resident received a phone call June 16 from a person saying they are from the Lincoln County Police Department, asking for money for training. The number appeared to be from Athens, Wisc., but a search of the number by the sheriff’s office indicated that it was a “robocaller.”  The department is not calling citizens asking for financial assistance, and authorities suggest hanging up on the call.

Another person reported they had received a text message from a “text now” number, 715-877-5924. The person stated they were a member of a local club, of which the target victim is the secretary. The scammer asked the target to purchase gift cards from Walmart for fellow board members as a “kind gesture.” The target was told once she obtained the cards to text the card numbers and security codes back to the person.

The investigating deputy learned the club has a website that lists each of the officer’s names and phone numbers.

Officers remind people to be wary of unsolicited calls regarding a request for money. “Potential scammers are constantly trying new tactics to steal money from unsuspecting victims,” the press release stated.