Local authorities warn of vehicle crash phone scam

LA CROSSE, Wi — The Wisconsin State Patrol and La Crosse police are warning the public about a phone scam in which a caller asks for money to resolve a car crash.

The caller identifies himself as a sergeant from the State Patrol’s Green Bay office and then tells the caller they need money to pay for damages caused by the person’s child or grandchild in a crash.

In at least two occasions, the State Patrol says the called identified himself as “Sergeant Walker of the State Patrol office in Green Bay” and asked for $900. The caller said the money needed to be wired immediately so the damages could be fixed so the other driver would not press charges.

“The phone message is a scam, and the State Patrol under no circumstances would contact anyone with such request for money,” said Major Brian Rahn, director of the Bureau of Field Operations.

The phone scam likely originated in Montreal, Canada, the State Patrol said. If you get a phone call like the one described above, call the State Patrol Northeast Region-Fond du Lac Post at (920) 929-3700.

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