U.S. Marshals warn about nationwide scam

CEDAR RAPIDS - The U.S. Marshals Service is warning citizens about a phone scam involving people posing as marshals and other law enforcement officials.

According to the Marshals Service, the scam involves someone calling, posing as a law enforcement official and attempting to collect a fine for failing to report to jury duty or other offenses. The victim is then told they can avoid arrest by paying the fine over the phone using a prepaid debit card or gift card.

Authorities said the scammers will attempt to appear credible by providing badge numbers, names of actual law enforcement officials and federal judges and courthouse addresses. They also will mask their phone number so as to appear they are calling from the court or government agency, authorities said.

'The U.S. Marshals would never ask for a credit/debit or gift card number or banking routing numbers or ask for funds to be wired for any purpose,” said Bill Kiesau, supervisory deputy for the U.S. Marshals Service in the Northern District of Iowa.

Anyone who receives one of these calls is asked to contact their local U.S. Marshals Office and the Federal Trade Commission.

l Comments: (319) 398-8238; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com