OUTAGAMIE COUNTY — Impersonators are using the names of actual law enforcement officials are calling residents in multiple counties across Wisconsin to scam them out of money.
According to the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office an impersonator using the name of Captain Linskens is calling residents demanding payment for reasons such as a missed court date.
The phone number also comes from the sheriff’s office, in many cases.
“If you receive a call from someone pretending to be Captain/Sgt/Deputy Linskens, hang up, do not give money or gift cards,” the sheriff’s office says. “If there is ever a concern that you are not talking to a real Outagamie County Sheriff’s Deputy, hang up and call the Sheriff’s Office at 920-832-5605.”
Also last week, the Rock County Communications Center in the southern part of the state reported phone calls from four citizens indicating they received scam calls from a Sgt. Rossmiller with the Rock County Sheriff’s Office.
In each case, the caller is a male, with a southern accent and has left messages for some people indicating they need to return his call regarding an urgent legal matter, according to a news release.
The calls also came from the same phone number which appears to be an untraceable voiceover IP number likely spoofed from the internet.
In one instance, where someone answered the phone, the suspect advised a man he had missed a court proceeding in federal court. When the caller hung up the phone the impersonator called back, the caller ID showed 608-757-8000, which is the main directory line to the Rock County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office would never take bond for a warrant over the phone or accept gift cards as currency to post a bond. In the recent past suspects have used the names of other current Rock County Sheriff’s Office employees in attempts to defraud people. In the event any citizens have received any recent calls similar in nature, or anytime someone receives a call where the origin and validity seem questionable, the Sheriff’s Office would like to be notified.
