For the last few weeks, at least one group has been in Altus trying to “give away free cell phones”. Altus Police Department received a call on Monday, May 28 regarding a cell phone give-away on West Broadway. No high flying balloons for these distributors, supposedly they were just “selling” free phones out of the back of a truck. According to Altus Police Chief Tim Murphy, when the officer arrived at the reported scene, there was no one offering cell phones.

The person who reported the sale of these cell phones on May 28 said the suspects wanted Food Stamp (SNAP or EBT) cards. They also wanted Social Security numbers and drivers license numbers.

Tuesday, May 29, APD received a report of a man giving away what one person called “Government” cell phones at a North Park Lane address. According to that reporting person, the man was trading the phones for Social Security numbers and photo copies of drivers licenses. Later that afternoon, the same people were reportedly at the corner of Broadway and Blain.

Over this last weekend, people supposedly giving away cell phones have been reported at various locations. People who sell goods within the City limits are supposed to have licenses issued by the City of Altus. If they do not have this business license, “buyer beware”. If they are not willing to follow the law, why would they stand behind their product?

According to Chief Murphy, an investigation is ongoing.

If anyone offers to buy or sell a SNAP or EBT card, that is known as trafficking in food stamp cards, a type of welfare fraud. For reporting welfare fraud in Oklahoma, pleasecall

the fraud hotline at (800)784-5887.

There is a Lifeline program that offers free cell phones to those who qualify for certain government programs. Their web site is www.usafreephone.com and their toll free number is 1-855-872-4455. This is not sponsored by the U.S. Government; it’s run by a company called True Wireless.*

*We’re not advocating or endorsing this company in any way, just verifying they do exist online.