City Times Staff

Stevens Point police say another phone scam has hit the area, this time with perpetrators posing as the Stevens Point Police Department.

Now, the scam has also begun targeting college students.

“We got a call just yesterday from a student who was told he would be arrested until he sent some 800 dollars via Western Union,” said Sgt. Paul Piotwoski. “He was able to get his money back but only because he acted quickly. He was one of the lucky ones.”

Piotrowski said scammers are somehow getting the police department’s phone number to show up on residents’ caller ID. The victims of the scam are told that they owe money to the IRS and need to pay or the SPPD will arrest them.

Piotrowski said that’s not how it works.

“If you’re going to be arrested, it won’t come from the IRS,” he said, adding the IRS does not conduct collection activity in this way. The IRS will send letters asking residents to call in.

Piotrowski warns residents to never provide any financial information to anyone calling and posing as an IRS agent.

If you have questions or need to report being a victim of the scam, call the Stevens Point Police Department at (715) 346-1500.