DES MOINES – A scam originating in the Des Moines area could spread or target other Iowans, and law enforcement there warned citizens to be vigilant.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, a familiar scheme to obtain funds that has been used in the past turns its focus to local businesses. A scammer called businesses and claimed that he was a representative of a local electric company and threatened to turn off electricity to this particular company unless the bill was paid immediately through a Walgreens Green Dot MoneyPak.
Somehow the caller knew the exact amount of the previous month’s electric bill and made reference to it, indicating that payment had not been received. The employee of the business assured the caller it had been paid, ended the call, and then notified the electric company and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office of the suspicious phone call. The electric company confirmed the bill had indeed been paid and that the information given during the call about a delinquent bill was fraudulent.
Anyone receiving this type of notification, whether it’s over the telephone or through other means of communication, should not comply with quick payment, but rather be skeptical and contact the company if possible. If a call like this is received, don’t offer revealing information and ask specific questions. Be aware that anytime someone transfers money through these means, it’s similar to handing over cash.
Anything suspicious in nature should be reported to local law enforcement.
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