Scam Alert: Fraudsters Impersonating Winona County Sheriff’s Office Deputies!
🚨 Don’t be fooled by scammers masquerading as Winona County Sheriff’s Deputies! Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones from falling victim to their deceitful tactics. 🛡️ #WinonaMN #WinonaCountyNews #MinnesotaNews
WINONA, MN – Residents of Winona County, Minnesota: be on high alert as scammers have once again resurfaced, this time impersonating staff from the Winona County Sheriff’s Office.
According to a recent post on the Winona County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, these fraudulent callers are attempting to deceive unsuspecting Minnesotans into divulging personal information or sending money to resolve fictitious issues or avoid false legal repercussions.
🙅♀️ Don’t Fall Victim to These Tactics
It is crucial to remember that the Winona County Sheriff’s Office would never demand financial or personal information, such as Social Security numbers, over the phone. If you receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to be a Deputy or Lieutenant, do not provide any sensitive details or comply with their requests.
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📞 How to Verify the Legitimacy of a Call
If you are unsure whether a call from the Winona County Sheriff’s Office is genuine, do not return the call using the number provided by the suspected scammer. Instead, contact the non-emergency dispatch line at 507-457-6492 to confirm if a staff member has indeed tried to reach you.
🕵️ Scammer Impersonation Tactics Exposed
Recent reports indicate that scammers are using the name “Deputy Halverson” and speaking with a slight accent to deceive their targets. They have also been known to invoke the name of “Judge Buytendorp”, pressuring individuals to provide reasons for failing to appear in court. Be vigilant and do not fall for these scare tactics.
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🛡️ Protecting Yourself and Others
While it is not necessary to report every scam call received, it is essential to inform the authorities if you have fallen victim to such a scam. By spreading awareness about these fraudulent activities, we can help protect our community from falling prey to these malicious individuals.
Stay informed, stay cautious, and remember that the Winona County Sheriff’s Office is here to serve and protect you, not to intimidate or deceive. Be sure to follow them on their Facebook page here.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Winona County Sheriff’s Office for their diligent efforts in keeping our community safe and informed about potential scams.
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🗣 Have you been a victim of a scam? Have any tips you’d like to share to help others stay safe? We’d LOVE to hear from you in the comments section below. ⬇️
