Community-powered support for public safety in Polson, Montana.

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Polson Police Foundation

Partnering for a Safer Community

Polson Police Foundation Community Resource

Stop. Check. Call.

If a message, call, email, photo, or video creates fear or urgency, pause before you click, pay, or share information.

STOP

Don't click. Don't pay. Don't share.

CHECK

Verify the story using a trusted number you find yourself.

CALL

Call your bank, a trusted person, or police.

Immediate danger or a crime in progress?

Call 911. Do not confront a suspected scammer or travel to meet them.

Act now

Fraud Victim Resources

If money or personal information may be at risk, act now. You do not need to solve everything before asking for help.

  1. 1

    Stop the contact

    Do not send more money, share another code, click another link, or let the person access your device. Hang up, block the sender, and tell someone you trust.

  2. 2

    Contact the payment company immediately

    Call your bank, card issuer, wire service, gift-card company, or payment app using a trusted number. Ask for the fraud department and request a hold, recall, reversal, or account freeze. Speed matters—even when recovery is uncertain.

  3. 3

    Protect accounts and credit

    From another trusted, fully updated device you control, change affected passwords and turn on multifactor authentication. If identity information was exposed, freeze your credit with all three credit bureaus and use IdentityTheft.gov for a personal recovery plan.

  4. 4

    Save evidence

    Keep receipts, transaction numbers, phone numbers, usernames, emails, texts, envelopes, and screenshots. Write down what happened, when it happened, and what you shared. Do not delete messages until an investigator says they are no longer needed.

  5. 5

    Report and get support

    Call 911 if anyone is in immediate danger. Otherwise, call Polson Police dispatch, report consumer fraud, and report internet-enabled crime. If you do not have a trusted person to help, contact Montana aging or disability services.

NO SHAME. NO DELAY.

Scammers rely on silence and embarrassment. Reporting quickly protects you and may protect someone else.

Report It and Get Help

Save receipts, messages, phone numbers, email addresses, payment records, and screenshots. Do not delete evidence.

Report Fraud to the FTC

Report scams, fraud, and dishonest business practices.

ReportFraud.ftc.gov

Recover From Identity Theft

Create a personal recovery plan and get step-by-step guidance.

IdentityTheft.gov

Report Internet Crime to the FBI

Report cybercrime, online fraud, payment scams, and account compromise.

IC3.gov

Polson Police

For local help or to make a police report:

(406) 883-8211

Non-emergency dispatch: (406) 883-7301

City Hall, 106 1st Street East, Polson, MT 59860

Contact Your Bank First

If you sent money, shared card or account information, deposited a suspicious check, or gave someone access to online banking, call the number printed on your bank statement or the back of your card immediately.

Ask whether the payment can be stopped, recalled, disputed, or frozen.

Fraud Victim Contact Directory

Type official web addresses yourself or use a trusted bookmark. Phone numbers and services can change; verify contact information before sharing sensitive information.

Credit freezes — contact all three

Montana help

Federal reporting and recovery

Support

Trusted Resources

Use these addresses by typing them yourself or using a trusted bookmark.

CHECK THE ADDRESS

Advertisements and fake search results can imitate official services. Do not pay for a free government report or recovery plan.

AI Can Fake Voices, Photos, and Videos

A familiar voice, convincing photo, or realistic video is no longer proof. If it creates urgency, end the conversation and verify independently.

  • Call the person using a number already saved in your contacts.
  • Ask a question only the real person should know.
  • Use a family safety word for emergencies.
  • Never send money because a caller demands secrecy or immediate action.

Scams to Watch For

These scam types affect communities across Montana. A request is not legitimate simply because it mentions a local business, agency, family member, or police department.

  • Utility shutoff demands
  • Grandparent and family-emergency scams
  • Cryptocurrency ATM payment demands
  • Stolen or altered checks
  • Facebook Marketplace and online-sale scams

Polson Police Foundation

Community education, workshops, and public-safety resources.

Phone: (406) 475-5250

PO Box 352, Polson, MT 59860

polsonpolicefoundation.com

You Are Not Alone

Scammers want you to feel rushed, isolated, and embarrassed. The safest response is to slow down and involve someone else.

STOP. Do nothing.
CHECK. Verify it yourself.
CALL. Ask for help.

Emergency: 911
Polson Police 24/7 non-emergency dispatch: (406) 883-7301

About the Polson Police Foundation

The Polson Police Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting the Polson Police Department and our community through officer wellness, community outreach, and safety education programs like this one.

Your support keeps resources like this free for our neighbors.

Learn more or donate · EIN 39-4308255

Need Professional IT Help?

Optional paid cybersecurity and technology support is available from Phenicie Business Management at (406) 382-9207.

This independent paid service is not provided or endorsed by the Polson Police Department or Polson Police Foundation.

This page provides general educational information and does not replace law-enforcement, legal, financial, or identity-recovery advice. External reporting websites are operated by their respective government agencies.