The Henry County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning about a potential scam in which the caller claims to be a law enforcement officer with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office.
The scam may appear to look like a legitimate phone call, and the caller ID may display the name Henry County Sheriff’s Office along with a local number.
The caller may attempt to get personal information or a means of payment from the victim. This may be done by false claims that the victim’s identity has been stolen, the victim has current criminal charges/warrants pending, the victim has a family member who has been arrested or the victim has missed jury duty.
The scammer will advise potential victims they need to send money immediately for the issue to be cleared. This is often done by demanding payment with verbal threats and intimidating the individual. The scammers most often request the money be transferred or wired into an account; however, they may request payment in the form of gift cards. Scammers tend to create a sense of urgency to try and manipulate potential victims to act quickly.
Authorities advise those who are contacted to not give into the demands to take immediate action and make a payment.
Be suspicious if you receive an unexpected request whether it comes in the form of a telephone call, text, app message, or an email.
They also advise:
- Never give out personal information such as credit card or account numbers, Social Security numbers, mother’s maiden names, passwords or other identifying information in response to unexpected calls.
- Do not send money in any form.
- Law enforcement will never demand payment over the phone.
- If you get an inquiry from someone who claims to represent a company or a government agency seeking personal information, hang up and call the phone number on your account statement, in the phone book or on the company’s or government agency’s website to verify the authenticity of the request.
Be cautious of Caller ID. Technology has made it possible for scammers to spoof or fake the number they are calling from.
- If you are being pressured for information or threatened with jail time or fines, call your local law enforcement agency.
Telephone scams should be reported to the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov.
Regularly check your credit score and bank statements for unusual activity.
