Attempted Theft by Deception, Wymore

DATE & TIME: 07-11-2017 / 1622    

LOCATION: Wymore, Nebraska                    

OFFENSE: Attempted Theft by Deception

CASE #: 2017-3745   

A Wymore resident called an investigator with the Gage County Sheriff’s Office to report what she believed to be a telephone scam.  The resident stated she had received an unsolicited telephone call and when she answered, the caller told her the federal government had $9,200.00 in grant money available to her.  He told her he would need some basic and personal information and one of the questions she answered was about her age.  At this point she became suspicious, believing that if the caller was truly from the government, he would already have information, such as her date of birth and age.

She hung up and called the sheriff’s office to speak with an investigator who confirmed for her that the federal government would not call and offer grant money.  If the person were to provide any type of personal or financial information, the caller would then be susceptible to theft from bank accounts, fraudulent use of credit cards, and/or identity theft.

The investigator called the Wymore Police Department and informed the chief of police of the investigation and to provide awareness of the situation so the Wymore Police Department could provide extra patrols of the residence.

The Gage County Sheriff’s Office urges the public to be cautious when dealing with telephone solicitations of any kind, even those with people purporting to be government officials or representing a business.  Anyone who receives a suspicious telephone call or e-mail should contact their local police department or contact the Gage County Sheriff’s Office and request to speak with an investigator.

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Investigator T. Hanson #90310