MCSO Warns Residents Do Not Fall Victim to Scams

Milwaukee, WI (January 28, 2021) The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office alerts residents of an increase in telephone money scams. The Sheriff’s Office has received reports from citizens who have received phone calls using a deputy sheriff’s name and threatening arrest for outstanding warrants or failure to pay fines associated with missing jury duty. Do not agree to purchase pre-paid gift or debit cards and give the activation code numbers to the scammer. After receiving the codes on the cards, the scammer transfers the money to their untraceable accounts.

Scammers provide a number to call where they have copied a real county voicemail recording, but it is connected to the scammer’s phone lines.

The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office DOES NOT call or email citizens threatening arrest for failure to pay fines. If you receive a similar call, hang up. Don’t fall victim to a scam. To report a scam or if you suffer monetary losses, report the call via email to Sheriff@milwaukeecountywi.gov, or by phone at 414-278-4705.

Scammers use phone numbers that mirror actual Sheriff’s Office numbers, a concept referred to as “spoofing.” Spoofing occurs when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID display to disguise their identity. Spoofing is used to trick someone into giving away valuable personal information and is used in fraudulent activity or sold illegally.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.