News Release
DATE& TIME: 8-19-2025 / 10:32am
LOCATION: Beatrice, Nebraska
OFFENSE: Phone Scam (Phishing / Information Verification
CASE#: 2025-3886
DETAILS:
A resident of Beatrice called the Gage County Sheriffs Office to report she received a phone call from 940-223-9511 at 10:32 am and an automated message told her to call that number back regarding merchandise. When she called back, she wound up speaking with several different males, all who spoke with a heavy foreign accent, who told her they were with the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) and Wal-Mart Loss Prevention and they needed her to verify her information.
She told them they should have her information, since they were calling her, and she refused to cooperate with the suspects. The actions of these suspects appear to be done with the intent of obtaining personal information, such as birth date, address, full name, etc, in order to then commit identity theft against other businesses, leaving the companies with the victim’s information to pursue restitution. This is known as “Phishing” and can be done over the phone, in person, online, and a number of other ways. (The victim is NOT responsible for charges the suspects make to companies, but it creates a great deal of problems for a person’s credit rating).
The victim did not lose any money, but just wanted law enforcement to be aware of the scam. She stated she had taken steps to secure her accounts against unauthorized intrusion or access.
Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903
Sergeant T. Hanson #90310