Phone scammers at it again

By Assistant Chief Jeremy Garrett
Bonners Ferry Police Department

A community member called in this afternoon after receiving a message from Sergeant Frisco with the Bonners Ferry Police Department regarding her adult son. The number that called their residence was our Police Department’s phone number. Sergeant Frisco left a personal number where he could be reached back, (208) 702-4021. The number goes to a voicemail belonging to Sergeant Frisco, asking for you to leave your name and number.

There is no Sergeant Frisco at the Bonners Ferry Police Department.

Scammers are utilizing a tactic known as spoofing to use our number to contact unsuspecting citizens. This is a reminder; no Law Enforcement Agency will ever call you asking for money to clear your name or on behalf of a family member asking for money. Do not provide this individual or anyone else with any of your personal information if they call you!

There is also another scam going around again, involving sending money to an unknown individual to obtain a larger sum of money in return. This is not going to happen. Once you send them the small amount of money they ask for, the individuals ask for more money. They will never send you the large sum of money they claim.

Please do not fall prey to these individuals because due to their sophisticated ability to hide behind false phone numbers, addresses and identities there is slim to no chance that anyone will be able to identify the perpetrator, let alone recoup your losses.

If you ever have any questions as to whether you are speaking with one of your local law enforcement officers or not, call the non-emergency dispatch number, (208) 267-3151. They’ll be glad to help you.