By Jalen Maki
Tomahawk Leader Editor
LINCOLN COUNTY – Lincoln County Sheriff Ken Schneider offered tips on how to identify and avoid scam calls after an Irma resident contacted both the Sheriff’s Office and the Tomahawk Leader about a scam call he received last week.
The Irma man said he received a call from someone claiming to be from Medicare who asked for his Medicare number so they could issue him a new Medicare card. According to the scammer, the Irma man needed a new card so he could get the COVID-19 vaccine.
“They wanted me to say the number over the phone to verify,” the Irma man said. “I refused to do that.”
The caller said he contacted Medicare, and Medicare told him they will never call and ask for a customer’s Medicare number.
Schneider said the public should be aware that scammers regularly target current events, including COVID-19 and stimulus checks.
“Never give out personal information over the phone if someone calls you,” Schneider stated. “If you have questions about a call you receive, hang up and contact that agency, using information that you can confirm is real, not information gained from that call.”
Schneider added that no legitimate business or government agency will ask for payment using gift cards or prepaid debit cards. He also advised against sending money in any manner to collect or secure funds “won” in a contest or lottery.
“These people spend a lot of time and effort creating these scams trying to make them sound legit,” Schneider said. “If it doesn’t sound right, it isn’t.”
To report a potential or attempted scam call, contact the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 715-536-6272.