PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Beware of Phone Scam Callers Posing as Deputy to Collect Fake Fines
Sheriff Mitch Ralston Announces:
The Sheriff’s Office has received a number of reports from citizens who have received ‘scam’ telephone calls from a person claiming to be a deputy sheriff. These bogus calls usually involve the caller telling the victim that he/she failed to appear for jury duty and should pay a fine, by credit card, debit/check, or money order. These calls are entirely fraudulent. The Sheriff’s Office NEVER solicits payment of fines, or otherwise solicits funds, by telephone. In the rare event that a juror fails to appear, he/she will be notified in person, by a uniformed deputy sheriff in a clearly marked, black and white patrol car. Any person receiving a ‘scam’ call such as these is urged to call the Sheriff’s Office Detective Division at 706.629.1244, and extreme caution should be exercised in releasing any type of personal information, particularly financial data, to telephone callers.