Warrant Phone Scams Impersonating Law Enforcement - Don't be a Victim!

Tift County Sheriff’s Office wants to Warn Residents about Phone Scams Impersonating Law Enforcement.

In a growing scam reaching people across the country, phone fraudsters are using the threat of arrest warrants to pressure people into paying hundreds of dollars.

The Tift County Sheriff’s Office wants area residents to be aware that the Sheriff's Office continues to receive calls about a local phone scam in which the scammers impersonate Sheriff’s Office personnel to fraudulently obtain money from innocent victims.

The scammer can also manipulate caller ID to make the number appear to come from our area code, local law enforcement, the sheriff's office or 911. The caller tells the person there is a warrant out for their arrest for a certain amount of fine. The reason for the warrant is represented as having missed jury duty.

The scammer then tells the potential victim they may pay $500 or a warrant will be issued for their arrest.

The scammer provides instruction on how the payment should be submitted, usually through an “eGift” cash card or similar payment to a specified by the caller. These scam artists use pre-paid phones and many times are not even in Tift County, making their apprehension difficult.

The Tift County Sheriff’s Office will never ask for payment over the phone or offer to negotiate for reduced payment in lieu of arrest.

Anyone who has been a victim of this scam, or who receives such a call, is encouraged to take down as much information as possible, such as a name and call back number, without giving any information away. Then, immediately contact the Tift County Sheriff’s Office at (229)388-6020 or call 911.