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Methods change, but the goal is the same: convince people to part with their money. Scammers plying phone numbers in Ozaukee County are playing that game, but changing the rules.
The latest method, according to the County Sheriff, involves receiving a phone call from one “Lt. Justin Kaas from the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office.” There is a Lieutenant Kass who would probably like to see the impersonator under his care as a Jail Division officer, but that’s not who’s really calling.
The caller proceeds to claim that there’s an emergency, and urges the resident to call him back, as opposed to the usual tactic of keeping a caller on the line with that first approach. While the Sheriff says it’s unknown exactly what the caller’s intentions are, it’s pretty safe to say that it’s a financial scam of some sort.
Regardless of the scammer’s techniques, the call’s recipient is advised to use the same rules-of-thumb when dealing with a phone scam. Never give personal or financial information over the phone to anyone. Know that legitimate agencies never ask for payment via gift cards or Bitcoin, and there is no legal option to avoid arrest, additional fees or satisfy a warrant over the phone.
If you get such a call or have questions, the Sheriff says they can be contacted directly at 262-284-7172.
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