Statewide Iowa — There’s a new twist on an old scam being perpetrated lately on Iowa residents, and the Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) is NOT amused.
According to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), a division of the DPS, they’ve received reports from citizens that scammers are posing as employees of the “Iowa State Police”. The callers are claiming there is a warrant issued out of state for the potential victim’s arrest. They have further advised their intended victim that in order to clear the warrant they need to send money, via an online account such as a Google Play account. Citizens are reporting that they are receiving multiple calls from the same 712 area code phone number. If the citizen does not answer or hangs up on the initial call, a secondary call is being reported as coming from “911” in which the callers are verbally aggressive, claiming they are with the “Police” and that they have a warrant for the citizen’s arrest.
The DCI is offering some tips in dealing with these scam calls:
If you get a call from someone who claims they are collecting money on behalf of the DPS—even if a caller ID device shows the DPS—hang up.
The DPS does not demand immediate payment via prepaid debit cards or online accounts.
Do not provide or confirm personal information or financial information to anyone who calls.
The DCI says if you receive one of these phone calls, you are asked to contact your local law enforcement and the Iowa Attorney General’s Office Hotline at (515) 281-5926 or (888) 777-4590.
