WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents that a scam involving the department has been circulating in the county.
Public Information Officer Sarah Severson says the scammers are contacting residents directly, saying they have some business that needs to be conducted with the Sheriff’s Office. They are then asking them to call the office back at (715)-680-3057 ext. 700- a number that is not associated with the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office.
Severson says by calling that number, you’re instead calling the scammers who will then press you for personal information such as a social security number or banking information. “If that individual says you need to give that information right now, that is certainly a red flag,” says Severson.
In addition to pressing for information Severson says the scammer may already have some information on you including your first and last name.
She adds that your best line of defense against this scam tactic is to ask for the name and extension of the person calling you, then check it against the Marathon County Employee Directory available on the county’s website. That will allow you to see if there is indeed anyone by that name who works for the county and if the phone numbers match.
She says it’s also acceptable to tell the person who called that you’d like to double-check to make sure you aren’t being scammed by hanging up and calling the county back yourself. Initiating the call on your end will ensure that the call will go to a legitimate county employee, who can then confirm or deny if you do have any business that needs to be handled.
“We encourage you to be diligent to make sure if you do give your information out that it’s an official source that you are giving it to,” added Severson.
Comments