Northern Iowa law enforcement warn of scams

PALO ALTO COUNTY, IOWA – Northern Iowa law enforcement is warning of scams targeting local citizens.

The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office said today that they would like to warn the general public and asks that citizens be vigilant of recent phone and internet scams. The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office says they have investigated two internet scams within the last week in which people were coerced to purchase gift cards in the amount of up to $500.00 from local stores and then provide the numbers on the gift cards to unknown persons over the phone. There have also been several phone scams reported to the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office and Emmetsburg Police Department in which unknown persons claim to be from the IRS and attempt to coerce personal and private information.

If you are a target or victim of a phone or internet scam, please contact your local authorities.