Beware: Scam uses local police identities to get money

A scam is being reported in the area using local law enforcement agencies to get money from people.

The scam tends to use the real name of officers who work at sheriff offices or police stations.

The Bannock County Sheriff’s said someone is disguising themselves as being from “Bannock County Emergency Operations.” They used the name of Bannock County Sheriff Deputy Kevin Fonnesbeck and email in an attempt to get money.

Scams normally attempt to focus on the elderly, while this scam seems to be focusing on those that have direct contact with the emergency service operation of the county.

“We just want the public to know and it doesn’t matter if it’s Bannock county or any of the surrounding counties in Eastern Idaho law enforcement, ISP, local police department, we do not solicit or collect any money by means of email or phone,” said Capt. Kevn Fonnesbeck.

Fonnesbeck said if any law enforcement agency was to contact you, it will be either by certified mail or they would send out a civil deputy with the certified paperwork.