Sauk County, WI – Local business owners in Sauk County are being warned to stay alert after multiple scam calls were reported today, involving callers falsely claiming to be law enforcement officers and demanding gift cards for bail money.
According to the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office, scammers have contacted several local businesses, identifying themselves as police or deputies and providing a name that does not match any real law enforcement official in the county. The caller then allegedly claims that an employee of the business has been arrested and urgently needs to be bailed out.
Investigators say the scam escalates when the caller requests payment in the form of gift cards, often from major retailers such as Walmart or similar stores. Authorities stress this is a clear red flag.
The sheriff’s office emphasized that law enforcement agencies will never call requesting gift cards, nor do they accept gift cards as a form of payment for bail under any circumstance.
Officials are urging anyone who receives a suspicious call claiming to be from police to hang up immediately and contact their local law enforcement agency directly using a verified phone number. Residents and business owners are also warned never to provide credit card numbers, banking information, or personal details over the phone.
“These scams rely on fear and urgency,” officials noted, adding that requests involving secrecy, immediate payment, or gift cards are strong indicators of fraud.
Authorities say scam attempts often increase during busy business hours, when employees may feel pressured to act quickly without verifying the information.
Anyone who believes they have been targeted or may have fallen victim to this scam is encouraged to report it to local law enforcement.
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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