IFPD Warns Against Scam
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The following is a news release from the Idaho Falls Police Department.
IDAHO FALLS — The Idaho Falls Police Department is issuing a warning to the community regarding a
scam specifically targeting Idaho Falls residents.
Police officers recently took a report from a resident after they received a phone call from an individual claiming the resident had an outstanding warrant. The caller told the resident they could clear themwarrant by paying $4,000. The caller called back later using the Idaho Falls Police Department dispatch phone number, 529‐1200, and claimed to be an officer requesting payment.
Please remember the Idaho Falls Police Department and other government entities do not solicit money over the phone.
The department frequently receives complaints from residents regarding various money scams. These
schemers often play on emotion, greed and kindness from the general public to fraud residents out of hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars.
Common fraud schemes include telemarketing fraud, investment schemes, foreign lotteries, advance
fee schemes, Grandparent Scam and identity theft. Scammers will also use online buy and sell groups or businesses to solicit money or personal and confidential information.
Online buy and sell groups and businesses do their best to protect customers from scams. However,
residents are asked to help protect themselves as well.
Often funds lost by victims can never be recovered. Therefore, it’s important to avoid being victimized.
Here are some tips:
■ Resist the pressure to act quickly.
■ If you are being solicited by a business, contact that business directly to find out whether or not the call or other correspondence is legitimate.
■ Never wire money based on a request made over the phone or in an e‐mail, especially overseas.
Wiring money is like giving cash—once you send it, you can’t get it back.
■ Never provide personal or confidential information to anyone that you have not contacted personally.
For example, if you contact your bank or credit card company regarding your account and they ask for your information.
The IFPD recommends that residents further educate themselves about the latest fraud schemes and
key indicators of frauds by visiting www.fbi.gov or www.ftc.gov.