WINONA, Minn. – A Winona woman told police that she was told by a telephone caller to come with $1,900 immediately or risk being arrested on an outstanding warrant. The caller claimed to be with the police. The woman, unsettled, said she went out and bought the gift cards but decided to drop by the police station on her way home to ask if the call was legit. Police said no. They tried calling the number that the woman had been told to call with the gift card numbers. No one answered. She went home knowing a bit more about telephone scams.
Cautionary note
Jay Rasmussen, deputy police chief, said that police agencies never – ever, ever — make phone calls for cash. Overdue payments are handled by mail or hand-delivered paperwork.