Local police warn of telephone scam

The Newton Police Department is making the public aware of a recent telephone scam involving callers contacting residents and claiming the resident has won a gift card.

According to a news release from the police department, the scam involves the callers claiming to be associated with Consumer Discount Company and working with Wal-Mart to distribute Wal-Mart gift cards to good customers. The caller then advises the resident that he or she has been selected to receive a $200 Wal-Mart gift card.

The callers tell residents they are receiving the gift card because they shop at the store more than three times a week and then requests information from the person’s credit or debit cards.

“This is where the caller is attempting to get the person’s credit/debit information for possible future illegal use,” states the news release, issued Monday by Lt. Wes Breckenridge of the Newton Police Department.

The public is advised to use caution when receiving any phone calls similar to this one.

“It is never a good idea to give someone your credit or debit card information if you did not initiate the phone call,” Breckenridge states in the news release. “If the caller says that they are representing a local company, it is always best to contact that local company to see if there actually is a promotion similar to the one mentioned in the phone call.

“Remember, if something seems to good to be true, it usually is.”