Authorities are warning of a new scam making the rounds in Calumet County.
The Calumet County Sheriff’s Office has received numerous complaints regarding scammers posing as a pastor or priest.
The Sheriff’s Office has stated that the scammers posing as church members will call victims, telling them that they are at the hospital in urgent need of gift cards to hand out.
They will then ask the victim to purchase the gift cards and send pictures of the card numbers, promising to reimburse them the next day.
Authorities note that these scams may feel real due to scammers using familiar names from the church with messages that are urgent, preying on a victim’s good heart.
Red flags to watch for include extraordinary and nontypical requests, phone numbers coming from out of state, and any requests for photos of a card number.
If you feel you are being targeted by scammers, contact your church to verify the claims and the individuals making them.
The Calumet County Sheriff’s Office finished their warning by stating, “Phone numbers can be spoofed, meaning criminals can make a text look like it’s coming from someone you trust.”
