News

Area residents receive telephone scam calls

By Scott Wagar

06/25/2013

In recent weeks, state residents have been filing complaints with their police departments and the Attorney General Consumer Protection Office due to a phone scam which is originating in Jamaica.

Last week, residents of Bottineau started reporting to the Bottineau Courant they were receiving calls from Jamaica (which they saw on their Caller IDs) that were very suspicious.

The scam deals with individuals receiving calls stating they had won a prize, but they had to pay for the taxes, insurance and other fees to claim the prize. Those that are called are asked to purchase pre-paid money cards, place money on them, then call back to the caller and tell them the code number on the card.

Once they have the code they can acquire the money at ease.

Another individual in Bottineau stated that she received a phone call from Jamaica and was told she won the lottery and if she wanted the money she had to give her bank account number.

Individuals should remember that if callers ask for your personal information, you should not give the caller your information and hang up.  

Individuals should also contact their local law enforcement or the state’s attorney office and file a complaint.