SHAWANO, WI – Shawano Police are reminding residents to stay alert as scams continue to target people across the community. Shawano Police Chief Mike Musolff says scammers are using a variety of tactics, including impersonating people on social media.
Musolff says a recent scam attempt even involved a friend of his whose Facebook account was hacked. The scammer then sent messages pretending to be the friend in an attempt to gain trust and start a conversation.
According to Musolff, the messages eventually shifted into a Publishers Clearing House-style scam, promising money that could help pay off a home. While the messages eventually stopped, Musolff says the situation shows how quickly scammers can reach potential victims online.
The chief says, “One of the best ways to stop a scam is to cut off communication immediately and verify the situation directly with the person involved.”
Musolff is also warning residents about the grandchild scam, where someone calls pretending to be a relative who has been arrested or is in trouble and urgently needs bail money. Police urge residents to slow down, confirm the story with family members, and never send money or personal information without verifying the request.
Comments