Scammers impersonating sheriff's office

Scammers are making the rounds in the area, and the Kootenai County Sheriff is cautioning citizens to be on the alert.

Sheriff Ben Wolfinger issued a press release Thursday listing four scams taking place statewide, and several occurring now in Kootenai County.

* Seniors who have had surgical procedures are receiving calls from people demanding payment of the remaining balance of their bills.

* Citizens are being notified by telephone that they have won pre-paid debit cards loaded with $500, and then asked to provide an account number to pay for the taxes.

* Calls are being made by someone claiming to be from the local county sheriff's office, stating that the target has an outstanding fine that needs to be paid, or he or she could face jail time.

* Groups are traveling into towns, recruiting homeless people to write bad checks and use bad credit cards to buy things (mostly gift cards).

Local Kootenai County scams include:

* Callers are telling people they've won money, from $1,000 to $2 million, but prior to receiving their winnings, they need to send money.

* People are being notified that their names have been mentioned in a drug-laundering case, or that they did not show up for assigned jury duty. The callers will say that unless the individual pays them money, a warrant will be issued.

* Individuals are still receiving calls from scammers claiming to be their grandchildren. The callers tell grandma or grandpa that they are in trouble with the law and need money for bail or attorney fees.

* There are several fraudulent websites offering to renew Idaho driver's licenses or identification cards online. Idaho does not offer online renewal.

"Prior to sending any money or giving out your personal information, verify the call is legitimate," the release said. "Bottom line, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

Before sending money or providing account information to someone, residents are encouraged to:

* Go online and research the caller's name and phone number. Scams are often published online.

* Contact the local law enforcement agency for assistance.

* If the company is familiar, hang up and call back on their published telephone line to verify that they are who they say they are.

For additional information on scams or general crime prevention in Kootenai County: www.kcsheriff.com/neighboorhood-watch-newsletters.html.