Sheriff's Office Warns Known Phone Scam Now More Sophisticated With Second Scammer

STAFF REPORT

The Sumter Sheriff wants to remind county residents of a known phone scam that the office says is back and has become more sophisticated recently and could result in people losing money.

According to Sheriff Anthony Dennis of the Sumter County Sheriff's Office, the scam involves a caller posing as a member of law enforcement, including using a phone number that appears to be from the Sumter County Sheriff's Office. Sumter. The caller may use the names of law enforcement officials working at the agency, requesting that fines or fees be paid immediately or the targeted victim risks arrest. But according to a press release from the office on Monday, June 10, the scam may now involve a second scammer posing as a law enforcement officer who “verifies” the ticket or warrant.

Other victims have been targeted on a conference call appearing to have the same phone number as the agency, which appears legitimate.

The scammer asks victims to pay by credit card, debit card, Cash app, gift card or other payment tool. Fraudsters are also known to wait for their victims to purchase a payment card.

The sheriff's office does not accept payments over the phone, according to the release, and all fines must be paid at the courthouse. She also does not conduct warrant-related matters over the telephone. Individuals must go to the sheriff's office and provide personal identification for such a business.

The bureau asks people who believe they have been scammed to contact the bureau to report the incident, and if you receive a call warning you of additional fines or arrest if payment is not made by telephone, hang up and contact the office.

It also reminds residents to never give out their personal identifying information over the phone, text or email and to find the agency number on their own to verify if a call, text or email is legitimate.

“Please share this information with your family and friends. We need to be wary of scammers and do our best not to let them take advantage of us,” the agency said in the release.