Idaho State Police warns on telephone scam

September 27, 2014

The Idaho State Police has continued to take new reports from various parts of Idaho of people receiving telephone calls from someone claiming to be from the Idaho State Police. The number appearing on the caller ID will show up as an actual number from the Idaho State Police, however, the number has been spoofed, meaning the calling party is deliberately falsifying the telephone number and/or name relayed as the Caller ID information to disguise their identity. This scammer appears to be targeting students and professors, as well as foreign nationals, and is telling the person they call that they have an arrest warrant, and that the person needs to pay money to clear the warrant or face arrest or deportation. The Idaho State Police reminds the public that they will not call anybody on the telephone to inform them that a warrant has been issued for their arrest. Additionally, ISP does not collect money or any financial information over the phone for any reason. "Unfortunately, the calls that are being received appear to be based outside the borders of the US," says Major Clark Rollins. "There is little that law enforcement can do to stop these scammers, but the Federal Trade Commission has set up a website to compile complaints to establish patterns of fraud and abuse for use by various law enforcement agencies." If you receive a call from someone claiming to be the Idaho State Police, any other law enforcement or any government employee and they are asking for money, please do not send any money or provide any personal or financial information over the telephone. If you want to report that you have been a victim and have sent money or provided financial information, please call the Idaho State Police at 208-846-7550. If you simply want to fill out a complaint form to help law enforcement track these types of scams please visit the Federal Trade Commission website at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov .