The Albert Lea Police Department is using one resident’s quick thinking to educate the public against potential scams.

According to a news release sent out by the department on Friday, a resident recently reported a scam by someone purporting to be from Walmart.

The release stated the resident received a letter, which asked for participation in a survey for customer satisfaction at Walmart. Enclosed was a check and a Walmart gift card supposed to be valued at $300.

After recognizing the letter as a scam, the resident reportedly called Walmart and found out the card had a zero balance.

Had this person called the phone number on the letter — from the Toronto, Canada area — he or she would have been instructed to deposit the check in a bank account, then go to Walmart and purchase a Money Gram, which would be sent out to a directed location.

A few days later, that person would be advised that the check that was deposited was no good, and he or she would be liable for the amount of the check.

The release stated the Walmart store in Albert Lea was contacted by police and was advised that the survey was not approved by the company.

Albert Lea Police Detective Ben Mortensen said though this is first time he has heard about a scam involving Walmart, he receives calls from people affected by other scams almost daily.

Some scams he’s seen lately include lottery scams, where people are told they’ve won the lottery and have to send off money to receive their prize, and others from people claiming to be a person’s grandchild in jail and in need of money.

Mortensen said many of the scams are coming from Jamaica and Canada.

He noted he has not seen any scams locally yet involving aid to help people from the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, though he has seen some years ago in the aftermath of other disasters.

Mortensen said he wants to educate the public about potential scams to protect them from losing their money.

To protect yourself against becoming a victim of scams:

• Do not cash checks you receive un-solicited via mail or receive as a result of an unsolicited e-mail or phone call.
• Do not call the phone number provided on the letters.
• If you receive an unsolicited phone call, do not give out personal information — including name, date of birth or Social Security number — over the phone.
• Do not fill out unsolicited forms received in the mail, asking for personal information.

What do you do if you become a victim of a scam?

Call local law enforcement at 507-377-5205. You will still be liable for the money the bank may have lost; however, there will be a report on record in case your identity is used by someone else.