"You have the right to demand credibility from anyone who calls asking for your private information or informing you of a prize or sum you have won," Capitol Police Chief Todd Hurt said. "Just give us a call if you are suspicious about the intentions of a caller requesting information or money from you. If you are truly entitled to a prize or required to give personal information, the respected caller should be very patient and understanding of your right to protect yourself."

According to Capitol Police, a state employee was called this morning from someone identified as being with Grant Services Inc. The caller told the employee that she had been selected for a $6,000 grant, to spend however she chooses, because she is a Missouri State employee who earns less than $40,000 annually. The caller said that the employee would need to pay a $298.00 up-front fee for the grant. When the employee became suspicious and asked questions of the organization the caller claimed to represent, the caller became frustrated and hung up.

Capitol Police believes the call was made as a scam to get $298 or personal information from the employee for identity theft. Many scams involve advance fee transfers, which require the scammed person to send a sum of money in order to get a much larger sum of money in return.

"Remember if a deal sounds too good to be true it probably is," Hurt said. "Always be wary of giving your personal information to anyone you do not know."

For more information, please contact Terri Durdaller at (573) 751-4819.