Kenosha County Sheriff's Department issues telephone scam warning

KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Kenosha County Sheriff's Department is warning the community to remain alert after two people were reportedly contacted by a scammer claiming to be a deputy of the Sheriff's Department.

The victims alleged the scammer told them they had a warrant out for their arrest, which could only be lifted by purchasing gift cards or providing other payment information.

The first victim told the Sheriff's Department that they did not give the suspect any payment information. The suspect allegedly hung up after the victim questioned their identity.

The second victim purchased gift cards and provided payment information over the phone. In this incident, the suspect used the Sheriff's Department's main fax number, which the department said "added legitimacy" to the scam.

The department warned residents against the scam and said that they do not ask anyone to purchase gift cards or provide credit card information over the phone.

"To protect the community if a credit card is used as payment to the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department payments are not accepted over the telephone, and cards must be imprinted with the owner’s name to confirm their identity.  Anyone receiving these types of scam telephone calls or believe they have been the target of a scammer should call their local law enforcement agency," the department wrote in a press release.

For more information about this type of scam, click here.