POCATELLO, Idaho — The Pocatello Police Department is alerting Idaho State University students and the broader campus community to an active phone scam in which callers impersonate campus public safety officials in an attempt to defraud victims of money.
Law enforcement officials say the scam involves fraudulent callers contacting individuals — primarily ISU students — and falsely identifying themselves as representatives of campus public safety or local law enforcement. The callers use deceptive tactics designed to pressure victims into providing money or personal financial information, often creating a false sense of urgency to prevent the target from thinking critically about the situation or seeking outside advice before complying.
The Pocatello Police Department is urging all students, faculty, and staff at Idaho State University to be aware of these calls and to avoid complying with any demands for payment or personal information from unknown callers claiming to represent law enforcement or campus security agencies.
How the Scam Operates
Phone scams impersonating law enforcement or government officials have become increasingly common across Idaho and the United States, and college students are a frequently targeted demographic. Scammers often choose students because many are living away from home for the first time, may be unfamiliar with how legitimate law enforcement agencies communicate, and can be especially susceptible to high-pressure tactics that exploit fear of legal consequences.
In scams of this type, callers typically inform victims that they have an outstanding warrant, have missed a court date, owe a fine, or are under investigation for a crime. The caller then insists that immediate payment — often through gift cards, wire transfers, or digital payment applications — is required to resolve the issue and avoid arrest. Legitimate law enforcement agencies, including the Pocatello Police Department and Idaho State University’s public safety office, do not collect fines or settlements over the phone, and they do not demand payment through gift cards or other untraceable methods.
Scammers frequently use technology that allows them to “spoof” their caller ID, meaning the call may appear to originate from a legitimate law enforcement or university phone number even when it does not. This tactic is specifically designed to add credibility to the fraudulent call and discourage victims from hanging up and independently verifying the caller’s identity.
What Students and Residents Should Do
The Pocatello Police Department is providing clear guidance for anyone who receives a suspicious call of this nature. Officials advise that anyone contacted by an individual claiming to be a law enforcement officer or campus public safety representative and demanding immediate payment should take the following steps:
Do not provide any money, gift cards, wire transfers, or financial account information over the phone. Do not provide personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, dates of birth, or banking details. Hang up immediately if the caller becomes aggressive or threatens immediate arrest for non-compliance. Independently verify the call by hanging up and dialing the official, publicly listed phone number for the Pocatello Police Department or Idaho State University’s Office of Public Safety directly — do not call back any number provided by the suspicious caller. Report the incident to the Pocatello Police Department so that law enforcement can track the frequency and nature of these fraudulent calls and pursue investigative leads where possible.
ISU students who believe they have been targeted by this scam, or who may have already provided money or personal information to a fraudulent caller, are encouraged to contact campus public safety and the Pocatello Police Department as soon as possible. Early reporting can be critical in limiting financial losses and assisting law enforcement in identifying patterns tied to organized fraud operations.
Community members across Bannock County should also remain vigilant, as phone scams impersonating law enforcement are not limited to university populations. Elderly residents are also frequently targeted by similar schemes, and family members are encouraged to discuss these tactics with older relatives who may be less familiar with common fraud methods.
What Comes Next
The Pocatello Police Department is expected to continue issuing public safety notices as new information about the scam develops. Idaho State University may also provide additional guidance to its student population through campus communication channels. Residents who wish to report suspected fraud or seek more information are encouraged to contact the Pocatello Police Department directly. For additional statewide public safety news and consumer fraud alerts, readers can visit Idaho News and the Idaho News Network.