Criminal Impersonation (Identity Theft)

DATE & TIME: 02-10-2017/1900

LOCATION: Rural Firth/Gage County, Nebraska                        

OFFENSE: Criminal Impersonation / Identity Theft                     

CASE #: 2017-0814

A Gage County resident from the Firth area called the Gage County Sheriffs’ Office to report that a person called her telephone from a “blocked” number on Friday, 02-10-2017, and began asking her questions about upgrading her television service.  She found this suspicious because the person on the other end of the phone conversation began asking her if she could hear him.  She stated she had read about a recent fraud scheme/scam in which a person is asked “Can you hear me?” and when they answer “Yes”, the “Yes” response is later spliced into a recorded conversation that appears to have them authorizing purchases, service upgrades, or ordering an item.

The victim was advised to check and monitor her bank accounts, mail, and credit information.  She was also directed to the Gage County Sheriffs’ Office webpage at http://www.gagecountysheriff.us/index.jsp , then go to the “Public Awareness” section and open the tab for “Fraud / Identity Theft / Scams” and then open the link to the Federal Trade Commission at https://www.ftc.gov/ for additional reporting options and assistance with identity theft.

The Gage County Sheriff’s Office has noted an increase in the number of reports of suspicious, fraudulent, or questionable telephone calls and scams.  Residents are encouraged to exercise caution and discretion in dealing with unsolicited calls or contacts.  If they have any suspicions, or believe they have become victims of a scam, they should call the Gage County Sheriff’s Office and request to speak to an investigator.  

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Investigator T. Hanson #90310