Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Telephone Scammers Spoofing Idaho State Police Phone Numbers Are Targeting Junior High School Aged Kids

IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE
Teresa Baker
Public Information Officer
Headquarters
700 S. Stratford Dr., Meridian 83642
(208) 884-7122
Fax (208) 884-7087

For Immediate Release: 10/29/14 at 2:53 p.m.

MERIDIAN - The Idaho State Police has once again been receiving reports from citizens that have received a telephone call from someone claiming to work for the Idaho State Police. The reports indicate that the scammers appear to be targeting kids in the junior high age range with their latest scam.

As with the earlier scam phone calls ISP has reported, the number appearing on the caller ID will show up as an actual number from the Idaho State Police. However, the number appearing has been spoofed, meaning the calling party is deliberately falsifying the telephone number and/or name relayed as the Caller ID information to disguise their identity. This scammer is telling the person that answers that have an arrest warrant and that the person needs to pay money to clear the warrant or face arrest.

Idaho State Police reminds the public that they will not call anybody on the telephone to inform them that a warrant has been issued for their arrest. Additionally, ISP does not collect money or financial information over the phone for any reason. Parents are asked to let their children with phones know that they too could receive such a call.

If you do receive a call from someone claiming to be the Idaho State Police, any other law enforcement or any government employee and they are asking for money, please do not send any money or provide any personal or financial information over the telephone. The best course of action is to simply hang up on the caller. If you want to report that you have been a victim and have sent money or provided financial information, please call the Idaho State Police at 208-846-7550. If you simply want to fill out a complaint form to help law enforcement track these types of scams, please visit the Federal Trade Commission website at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov.

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