THORNTON – A Thornton resident reported an aggressive scam call to police on Monday evening.
According to the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office, a resident of Thornton reported that she had received a phone message requesting money and threatening prosecution and jail time. Officers conducted a Google search on the number that the caller requested the resident call, and the number was fraudulent. Police advised the woman not to send any money unless further research should reveal the caller to be legitimate.
Earlier in July, Mason City police said that they had received reports from citizens of automated calls alerting them of their MasterCard credit card being blocked. The call originated from a blocked number and instructed the individual to key in their card number.
In late May, some Iowa law enforcement were alerted to scam calls being made from an unknown source, warning those answering the phone that he or she owes an outstanding debt and a warrant will be issued for their arrest if they don’t forward money to someone right away. NIT was told that it is rare for law enforcement to cold call anyone, even if they have unpaid debts or even fines.
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), thousands of people lose money to telephone scams every year — from a few dollars to their life savings. Scammers will say anything to cheat people out of money. Some seem very friendly — calling you by your first name, making small talk, and asking about your family. They may claim to work for a company you trust, or they may send mail or place ads to convince you to call them.
The FTC advised that if you get a call from someone you don’t know who is trying to sell you something you hadn’t planned to buy, say “No thanks.” And, if they pressure you about giving up personal information — like your credit card or Social Security number — it’s likely a scam.
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