Sheriff's sergeant spots scammer

COEUR d'ALENE - A Kootenai County sheriff's sergeant was contacted on his cell phone Monday by an unsuspecting phone scammer.

The result: a frustrated criminal and a lesson to area residents in how to detect a phone scam.

In his incident report, the sergeant writes that when he answered the call he was greeted by a man with a thick accent who said he was from the United States Grant Company. The man said his name was Steve and then told the officer he had been randomly selected to receive several thousand dollars.

As Steve continued his story, the officer became suspicious.

"He told me I had been selected from a group of people who have paid their taxes, have not filed for bankruptcy in the past six months, and do not have a criminal record," the report states. "He told me the money would be free and clear and I would not have to pay taxes on it or pay any money back."

At that point he became "very suspicious."

According to Steve, the only strings attached to the funds were that it be "used for something good" such as paying bills or a car payment. Steve added that the money could not "be used for anything evil."

All the officer had to do to get the money was provide Steve with a routing number for a credit card, debit card, savings account, or checking account.

"I told Steve I did not give that information out over the phone," the report states.

"Sir, we are here from the U.S. Government," Steve replied. "We are not here to take any money from those accounts, but to give you money."

For the officer, that was yet another indicator that this was a scam.

"I told him I would take a check or cash in the mail," the report states.

Steve then grew "agitated" and insisted on getting a credit card number. When the officer once again refused, Steve hung up.