According to the Ville Platte Police Department, a telephone scam is taking place that targets residents.
“Detectives with the Ville Platte Police Department received information that someone received a phone call that their loved one who was residing in South Dakota, was in an accident and they were intoxicated at the time of the accident,” said Chief of Police Neal Lartigue in a press release.
The release continues as follows: “They stated that the loved one would need $2,300.00 sent to them as a ‘gift’ for them to be released from jail.
Please be vigilant with protecting yourself and your information. If someone calls and requests money for someone's bail, you should call the direct number for that law enforcement agency and speak to the proper person at that agency. You should also consider verifying that your loved one is in fact in need of assistance and proceed from there.
Anyone who is arrested is entitled to a phone call from the jail. Although we can not state what the policy is for each agency or in different states, we can warn you to check the validity of the call by calling the agency back at their direct number (not the number they give to you) look up the official phone number for that agency. Also be suspicious if you are asked to send money from one Walmart to another Walmart. If in doubt you can call your local law enforcement agency for help. They can help verify if someone is incarcerated and the proper procedure for assisting them.”
If you have any concerns or information on scams please call the Ville Platte Police Department at 363-1313
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TONY MARKS Associate Editor