Sheriff’s office warns the public about scam telephone calls

The Jefferson County sheriff’s office is issuing a public warning about a recent phone scam reported by a concerned citizen.

“We want to ensure the safety and security of our residents and to prevent anyone from falling victim to this fraudulent activity,” said sheriff’s office operations commander Maj. John Bean.

The sheriff’s office has received numerous reports of a telephone scam involving a caller contacting citizens and identifying himself as Sgt. Blake Anderson in an attempt to scam the citizen out of money. The caller falsely claims that a warrant for failure to appear has been issued for the citizen’s arrest due to their failure to appear for jury duty in state or federal court.

“JCSO is actively investigating this incident, and our top priority is ensuring the safety and security of our community members. We appreciate the vigilance shown by our citizens in taking the extra steps to confirm the legitimacy of calls that appear suspicious,” said Bean.

However, Bean emphasized that these phone calls are fraudulent, and any requests for money or personal information under such circumstances should be treated with extreme caution.

“As a reminder, law enforcement will never ask for payment of any type over the phone nor will they ask for personal identifying information that could be used for fraudulent purposes. Law enforcement and government agencies will also never ask you to pay by unusual methods, such as gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency,” Bean said.

Scammers research potential victims on the internet and social media. Then they call and deceive their victims into thinking the callers are law enforcement officers, prosecutors or police employees. Scammers may spoof a law enforcement telephone number, falsely showing on the victim’s caller ID. They threaten victims with arrest for outstanding warrants or other legal issues.

“We offer the following precautions, while emphasizing that it is important to verify the legitimacy of any such calls or demands,” Bean said. Those precautions:

■ Do not send money or personal information: Legitimate law enforcement agencies will not demand immediate payment over the phone.

■ Verify the caller’s identity: If you receive a suspicious call, contact your local law enforcement agency to verify the caller’s

identity and the existence of any warrants.

■ Be cautious of high-pressure tactics: Scammers often use threats and urgency to force individuals into making hasty decisions. Take your time to verify any claims.

■ Report any suspicious calls: If you receive a suspicious call, please report it to your local law enforcement agency.

Anyone who receives a call from a law enforcement agency within Jefferson County should confirm who’s on the other side of the call.

“If you believe you received a scam telephone call, hang up and call the number back,” authorities say. “If the call is legitimate, you’ll be connected with a 911 dispatcher or receptionist who can verify the caller’s identity. Report any scam calls to your local law enforcement agency. Please share this message with your family and friends, especially the elderly, to help prevent phone scams.”

Anyone with information related to this incident or who has been targeted by a similar scam is asked to contact the Jefferson County sheriff’s office at (870) 541-5496.