MAHASKA COUNTY, IOWA – The scammers just keeping getting more devious and creative, and Iowa law enforcement agencies are warning folks not to fall victim the latest ruse.
Several law enforcement agencies in Iowa are sharing a warning issued about fake calls taken in Mahaska county that were reported to the sheriff’s office there:
“We are taking calls from citizens stating they are receiving calls from an international number, the Mahaska county sheriff’s office said today. “When they answer, a girls voice says “help daddy, help daddy, I am in a bin” and the call disconnects. We strongly encourage everyone to take a second and evaluate the number that is calling you. If you become concern(ed) and call the number back you may be charge(d) an extremely high rate for the phone call. International numbers usually start with a “+” and then a number. In today’s world they can mask the number with local numbers, we encourage people to take a second and evaluate the situation. If you have kids, loved ones, or anyone you are concerned about call the phone number you have for them first.”
how sad to exploit peoples instinct to help. modern day version of the “damsel in distress” trick employed by the highway men back in the days. wish we’d give these scammers the same treatment we used back in those days. the world would be a better place without them.
fortunately, contrary to whats implied in the article, calling back to a local number will NEVER result in high rates, regardless if the call actually originated from that number or if its a long distance call masqueraded to look like it was local.