Linn County Sheriff’s Officials Warn Of New Phone Scam

The Linn County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about a phone scam that they've gotten reports of. This one names a judge during the phone call. As with other calls of this nature, it is NOT a real call from the sheriff's office.

The calls say they are coming from the Linn County Sheriff's office and even appear to be from the department's actual phone number. The call then states that Judge Strand has issued a warrant for missing a grand jury. They are told they can call a number and have an officer come and arrest them, or go to Hy-Vee and purchase gift cards to avoid their arrest.

Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner says that the calls are scams trying to steal from people in Eastern Iowa. He states that the phone number victims are urged to call is NOT a number at the sheriff's office, even though a message on the line says that they've reached their office.

Gardner urges anyone with questions about calls like these can call local law enforcement. Correct department phone numbers are listed in phone books or via an internet search. You can also go to the Linn County Sheriff's website for correct contact information.

[via KWWL]