Someone has been calling the good people of Marshalltown and representing himself as Marshalltown Police Department Capt. Brian Batterson. This is a scam! The person might also use the name of Scott Johnson.

The perpetrator has been calling from a 319 area code, which is not the Marshalltown Police Department.

The perpetrator has been leaving voicemail messages and asking for a call back to the bogus number. The perpetrator might use Batterson’s name and title. The Marshalltown Police Department can promise everyone it is not Capt. Batterson calling people from a 319 area code.

As with all scams, be cautious with unsolicited phone calls, emails and more. If you receive a call from someone identifying themselves as a Marshalltown police officer or employee and you are uncertain if it is real, call the department at 641-754-5725 to confirm.

Don’t fall for the “Hey, I am Capt. Brian Batterson” scam of the day. Be safe everyone and wash your hands.

The grandparent scam

The grandparent fraud is making the rounds in the community this week.

Here is how the grandparent fraud typically works. People receive a call from someone pretending to be the grandchild. The person explains that he or she is in trouble, with a story that goes something like this, “There’s been an accident, I am in jail, in the hospital, stuck in a foreign country,” etc. The caller will state they need help. The caller adds enough details about how, what or where the emergency happened to make the story seem plausible. The caller is very convincing. People might even believe they sound like the grandchild. Next, they will ask for money and they will often tell the person not to call the mom and dad or tell anyone else.

If people receive a call like this, stop and take a deep breath. Ask questions. Get a call back number. Then hang up the phone and call the grandchild in question or call the grandchild’s parents. Call another relative. Call the police. Confirm the story. Do not fall for this common scheme to separate people from their money.

Here is a link to some good information from the Iowa Attorney General about this common telephone fraud: www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/for-consumers/general-consumer-information/phone-scams/grandparent-scam

If a person has been the victim of this type of telephone fraud, report this fraud to the local law enforcement agency. In Marshalltown, call 641-754-5725. This is a 24/7 number.