Winnebago County, WI – Residents are being warned to stay alert after authorities reported a rise in impersonation scams targeting local phone users this week.
According to the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, scammers are posing as law enforcement officers and falsely claiming victims have an active arrest warrant, missed a court date, or owe immediate bond money. In other cases, callers allegedly claim a family member is in jail and pressure victims to send payment right away.
Authorities say these scam calls are designed to create fear and urgency, often demanding payment through gift cards, wire transfers, payment apps, or cryptocurrency.
The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that real law enforcement agencies will never request bond or fines through gift cards, crypto, or peer-to-peer payment apps. Officials also warned that legitimate officers will not call unexpectedly demanding immediate payment or instructing people to keep the call secret.
Residents who receive such a call are urged to hang up immediately and independently verify the claim. Officials recommend calling the jail, court, or law enforcement agency directly using a publicly listed phone number, not the number provided by the caller.
“Taking a moment to slow down, pause, and verify could end up saving you thousands of dollars,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a public safety message shared Friday.
These scams have been reported across Winnebago County and surrounding Northeast Wisconsin communities, including areas near Oshkosh, Neenah, Menasha, and the greater Fox Valley region.
Anyone who believes they have been targeted or victimized is encouraged to report the incident to local law enforcement and the Federal Trade Commission.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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