Watch CBS News

Police: Phone Scam Targeting St. Cloud State Students

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Authorities say an apparent phone scam is targeting foreign students at St. Cloud State University.

The St. Cloud Police Department said Thursday its front desk has taken several phone calls from citizens saying they are getting calls from the department's non-emergency number. Authorities say the calls appear to be targeting foreign students and are coming from one individual claiming to be with the IRS.

The person is demanding money, and if they don't pay, the student will be arrested and expelled from school.

Authorities say the non-emergency number is an incoming phone line only and will either take the caller to the phone directory at St. Cloud Police or directly to the Stearns County Dispatch Center when the front desk at the police department is closed. The non-emergency number cannot be used to make outgoing calls, so it will never appear on a caller ID.

Police: Phone Scam Targeting St. Cloud State Students

The St. Cloud Police Department is advising that if residents receive a call from that number, it is most likely a hoax.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.