New Year, New Scams; Polk County Sheriff Warns of Financial Frauds

By: Mary Balstad marybalstad@rjbroadcasting.com

Polk County, MN – Financial scams are continually changing to trick potential victims, even in the new year. Mike Norland from the Polk County Sheriff’s office talked about these scams and what to be vigilant of during the January 6th Sheriff’s Update on ‘Food for Thought.’ Whether they are over the phone, emails, letters, or through text messages, scams can be targeted at any person. Norland states the sheriff’s office in Polk County has received reports of different kinds of suspicious messages. These can varying from extended car warranties to student loans from unknown sources.

Norland says the best tactic to avoid falling for scams is to be cautious. Red flags to be aware of is if a person is claiming to be a relative, or if they are requesting information for monetary items such as gift cards or checks. Spreading the word about these new scams can alert people and law enforcement.

Open communication about suspicious messages and phone calls can assist in lowering the possibility of falling for a scam. Norland says to research any offers or reach out to local banks or family members for more information. He also encourages people to contact the local sheriff’s department so they can document scams and keep the community safe.