Attempted Theft by Deception - Beatrice

DATE & TIME: 08-22-2018 / 0915

LOCATION: North Beatrice District               

OFFENSE: Attempted Theft By Deception

CASE #: 2017-4746

An employee of a business on the north side of Beatrice contacted a Gage County Sheriff’s Office investigator to report an attempted theft by deception.  The business owner reports that a male called them around 9:00 am stating they were from “BPW” and the business was delinquent in their utility bills and they needed to pay up immediately or their services would be shut off.

The employee who took the call immediately suspected this was an attempt to defraud the company, contacted the business owner, who informed the employee the payments were automatically deducted from the bank.

The investigator contacted the Beatrice Board of Public Works, the real BPW, and confirmed with them they had not called the business and the company was not delinquent in their utility payments.

The Gage County Sheriff’s Office investigator contacted the business employee and confirmed to her the call was a scam and an attempt to defraud the company.  The investigator then notified investigators at the Beatrice Police Department of this scam and another one that was reported a few minutes later by a citizen.

The Gage County Sheriffs’ Office urges residents to use caution when conducting business transactions over the telephone and to use caution and patience, particularly when a business or financial transaction does not follow normal business practices.  Residents are urged to immediately contact their local police department or to call the Gage County Sheriff’s Office and ask to speak with an investigator.  Do not fall prey to tactics where there is pressure or a requirement to make an immediate transfer of funds or the person requests you purchase something and send it to another location.

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Investigator T. Hanson #90310