In the last several days, the Pleasant Prairie Police Department has received calls from several residents concerning the latest phone scam. Residents have received calls from individuals who claim to be associated with the Pleasant Prairie Police Department and the Social Security Administration. During the call, the victim is forwarded to a “sergeant” from the Pleasant Prairie Police Department and then to a “collections office” who then instructs the victim to purchase gift cards from local businesses to satisfy the account with the agency. The victim is then instructed to reveal the numbers associated with the gift cards to the suspect on the phone thus completing the scam. During the call, the victim is ordered not to hang up and remain on the phone or face legal consequences.
The Pleasant Prairie Police Department or any other government agency will never order or demand that someone purchase gift cards or reveal sensitive personal information over the phone. Residents are strongly encouraged to hang up on these individuals and contact your local law enforcement. Residents are encouraged to reinforce this with elderly relatives or neighbors who are predominantly the target of such financial scams.