Scam reported in rural Otter Tail County

By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent 

Sheriff deputies, on Jan. 14 and Jan. 16, reported injuries following traffic accidents in Otter Tail County.

The first roadway accident, at 12:11 p.m., took place on Highway 78. A woman rolled her vehicle and entered the southbound ditch. She was taken to the hospital in Perham with non-life-threatening injuries.

Deputies said the second accident took place on Jan. 16 at 10:32 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 108 and 398th Avenue, east of Dent and southwest of Perham. A woman’s vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree.

Her injuries also were non-life-threatening. She was taken to the Perham medical facility.

Scam victims

Residents of Rice Lake, east of Vergas, reported to sheriff deputies on Jan. 16 that they became victims of a Microsoft scam. They sent money by credit card and check. Later, their bank was notified along with the FBI and state Attorney General’s Office.

Tech support scams typically involve a scammer who tries to trick homeowners into giving them access to computers or to pay them for unnecessary services. These scammers will often contact homeowners through pop-up messages on computer screens or through phone calls.