By Rich Larson, News Director
The Northfield Police Department is reporting a hike in telemarketing scams affecting Northfielders, and seniors in particular. 
Northfield Police Chief Mark Elliott said his office has seen a rise in the number of complaints they are receiving about telemarketers with dubious intentions, and the technology they use has become more sophisticated in recent years.
“Recently we had one that – through technology these people are able to put phone numbers into their dialers so that the caller ID makes it look like it’s coming from somewhere else. And some of them look like they’re coming from the Northfield Police Department, but they’re obviously not.”
He said the perpetrators behind these programs can pose as a bank, an insurance company, or a credit card company. They make contact with a phone call, or via text or email, and these contacts will usually include a request for money of some kind. He said anyone asking for cash should send up a red flag.
“Never send any cash, money orders, gift cards, that type of thing. No reputable business, no law enforcement agency, no sheriff’s office, or jail is going to accept bail or bond or take payment through a gift card or money order that you send through the mail. Generally they’re going to have another method that they want you to pay.”
Chief Elliot said that the telemarketing schemes tend to target seniors in the community, so it is very important that families talk to each other about suspicious phone calls they might be receiving and make sure those conversations include elderly parents or grandparents. Above all, he said, it is important to use common sense in these situations, and always verify that the people contacting you are who they say they are.
“We’re just reminding people to be cautious about any information that they give out over the phone. Especially to anyone that is asking you to send money or is asking you for private information. If they say they’re your bank or if they say they’re calling from the sheriff’s office, or the police department or something like that, you can tell them that you’ll call them back, ask for their name, and then look up the number on your own to call them back. Don’t necessarily trust the number that they give you.”
Those with any questions or potential issues regarding these scams can contact the Northfield Police at (507) 645-4477.
Chief Elliott’s full conversation with Jeff Johnson can be heard here.
City Council passes resolution encouraging federal fee on carbon
The City Council passed a resolution on Tuesday night supporting Federal Legislation authorizing a federal, revenue-neutral, market-based fee on Carbon in fossil fuels.
The council had heard a presentation regarding the concept during the work session last week from Janet Petri of the Environmental Quality Commission. The legislation would charge a tax on all fossil fuel consumption, and then return funds to the lower 60% of fossil fuel consumers, who would actually receive a windfall from the fee. The next 20% would break even, while the highest 20% would bear most of the cost. Commissioner Petri said many US trading partners around the world, including the European Union and Canada have what she called “robust” taxes on carbon, and in fact, the EU is contemplating charging a tax on imports from countries that do not have an internal carbon tax.
Originally, this item had been designated for the consent agenda for the meeting on Tuesday, but Councilor Brad Ness asked that it be put on the regular agenda. Northfield City Administrator Ben Martig explained Ness’ dissent.
“One of the concerns raised by [Councilor Ness} related to that is there isn’t any specific legislation right now. There has been in the past and it’s expected that the new congress will take it up, but we don’t have any specifics. So, there was some concern raised about not being comfortable without a specific bill to look at to completely know what it’s about.”
The resolution passed with a 6-1 vote.
City Administrator Ben Martig’s full conversation with Jeff johnson can be heard here.
