Fake trooper calls victimizing families

WINSTED, MN – The Minnesota State Patrol reports that individuals misrepresenting themselves on the phone as Troopers are alarming people and costing them money by gaining access to and using the victim’s phone number for long distance calls.
The State Patrol has received calls this afternoon from people who have been victimized.  Victims report that an unknown caller who misrepresents themself as a Trooper calls their home and leaves a message that a family member has been hurt.  The victim is instructed to call *72, followed by a 1-800 number.  The *72 code allows the unknown caller to charge long distance calls to the victim’s phone service.
The State Patrol encourages individuals who receive such a call to instead contact their local law enforcement agency to verify whether they have a reason to be concerned.