ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ)- Ashwaubenon Public Safety is warning the community of phone scams with the goal of obtaining money in various ways.
It’s nothing new, but criminals continue to find ways to trick victims to pay money over the phone, but it’s all a scam, according to Ashwaubenon Public Safety Captain Jody Crocker.
“If you don’t owe somebody money, you don’t owe them money. Don’t fall for the scam.”
Crocker said if you owe someone money, you should know about it, and an unexpected call usually is a red flag that you should hang up.
Scammers are posing as utility companies, the IRS or even the police department.
Crocker says they will ask for payments in forms of prepaid Visa, a green dot card, PayPal accounts or I-Tune accounts, but legitimate companies will never request money thay way.
He says citizens need to be on the lookout for scam calls with the ultimate intention of getting into victims pocketbook. He adds tatics of saying money is owed, services will be disconnected or physical harm will be done if money is not paid, are being used.
“They ask for money, tell you that you have a warrent, or tell you that you are in debt.”
He adds the reason the scam calls keep happening is because people keep talking with the criminals.
” Basically they are going to give up and just give them the money just to get them off of their back. We don’t want them to do that.”
Crocker says by hanging up right away, it lets the scammer know that you have caught on.
He adds it is important to report that call to law enforcement.
Brown County Sheriff’s Department also reported people getting calls from an individual or group of individuals who are threatening to do physical harm to the victim or the victim’s family if they don’t purchase numerous I-Tune cards.
In some cases, the use of a hitman was also included in the threat.
Brown County Sheriff Officials say these should be considered a scam, and be reported.
