WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (WSAU) -- If we've told you once, we've told you hundreds of times- if it's too good to be true, it probably is.
That's the message the Wood County Sheriff's office is sending after an uptick in the number of phone scams was reported this week. Investigative Captain Quentin Ellis says they are not only seeing the hits such as IRS or grandchild scams, but the crooks are also getting creative in other ways. through text messaging or email.
He says in most cases the crooks will try to get you to pay money up front in one way or another by claiming to be some sort of authoritative figure. "This is not how the IRS operates, it's not how any Government agency operates. We don't call people and ask for credit card numbers, gift cards, or other random types of payment," he said. "If we need to speak to you, we will send a letter or a representative to your house, or we will call. And if you aren't comfortable speaking to us, you can call right back to verify our identity."
He says making that call back if someone claiming to be from the Sheriff's office or another Government entity can be key to knowing if you are being scammed or not because upgrades in technology have made it possible for crooks to spoof caller ID numbers in many ways. In some cases that may mean the number for the Sheriff's office will pop up on your phone, even though the call originates from an illegitimate source. "They'll say they are officer so-and-so with the Wood County Sheriff's department and you have a warrant. But if you were to call back, you would receive a legitimate officer who could say we do not have an officer by that name and we are not out collecting warrants in that manner."
Ellis adds that scammers have also taken to text messaging to try to get their hands on your money as well. Similar to email scams, they'll send you a message with a link that may look legitimate, but will actually be used to steal personal data such as bank account numbers or credit card info.
No matter what type of scam you run into, Ellis says there is one foolproof way to make sure you don't become a victim. "Disconnect the call. Don't argue with the people, they'll become combative, very rude, and even threatening during the conversation." That also protects yourself from a more recent type of scam where someone will ask you a yes or no question, then record your voice saying "yes" and use it to authorize certain transactions that would allow them to access your money.
Ellis went on to add that scammers don't discriminate about who they try to attack. He says from time to time he and his colleague will receive the calls on both their office phones and personal and work-issued cell phones.
Consumers can always access sites such as the Federal Trade Commission or Wisconsin Department of Ag, Trade, and Consumer Protection to get more info on the various types of scams circulating and how to protect themselves. Ellis adds that the Wood County Sheriff's department will also continue to post updates on their various social media platforms to keep residents in the know.
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