Warning – These Scam Calls Show Up As SE Minnesota Police Dept on Caller ID

The Austin Police Department wants you to know that scammers are using technology to disguise their identity and trick residents in Southeast Minnesota into thinking their call is coming from someone else.

According to KAAL: An Austin woman told investigators she received a call from someone saying a federal warrant had been issued for an acquaintance of hers and that they needed her bank account information to make a withdrawal, otherwise this person would be arrested and sent to jail. The woman says her caller ID showed the call was coming from the "Austin Police Department."

You should never give any personal information over the phone.

The FCC has information on how to deal with these scam calls on their website.

If you get an inquiry from someone who says they represent a company or a government agency, hang up and call the phone number on your account statement, in the phone book, or on the company's or government agency's website to verify the authenticity of the request. You will usually get a written statement in the mail before you get a phone call from a legitimate source, particularly if the caller is asking for a payment.

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