Phone scams are increasingly becoming a nuisance and a threat to financial security for those that are on the receiving end of calls.
This time, Washington County Sheriff, Kevin Crews, is warning residents of scammers who are posing as workers from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Clerk of Court and the Social Security Administration. The phone number is often “spoofed” and appears on caller ID as one of the agencies listed above. Agency employee impersonators will claim there is a potential issue or discrepancy with the account in question or state that information needs to be verified, someone has a warrant or fines need to be paid.
“Scammers will go to great lengths to get what they want,” says Sheriff Crews. “It is important to remain alert and to warn other family members who may be vulnerable to these calls.”
During these calls, scammers have threatened prosecution or arrest, if they do not receive the information or payments they are requesting.
“If you are contacted by a person who threatens you with legal action or arrest, in order to obtain information, the call is fraudulent,” states Crews. “Do not give them your social security number or banking information. Hang up the phone immediately.”
