Beware! Laurens County Sheriff’s office Warns of Phone Scam Alert: Protect Yourself from Fraudulent Calls

Residents in our area are once again being targeted by a wave of phone scams, including the notorious Deputy Impersonation scam. The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office is urging everyone to remain vigilant and informed, as these scams can be financially devastating if not identified and thwarted in time.

Sheriff Don Reynolds emphasizes the importance of awareness and caution: “Scammers are relentless in their attempts to defraud unsuspecting individuals. We must stay informed and vigilant to protect ourselves and our community from falling victim to these deceptive schemes.”

The Deputy Impersonation scam, one of the most prevalent schemes, involves callers posing as representatives of law enforcement agencies. They claim that you have an active warrant for your arrest and demand immediate payment to avoid jail time. Remember, legitimate law enforcement agencies will never demand payment over the phone or threaten arrest without due process.

But that’s not the only phone scam circulating. Another common one is the Grandparent Scam, where fraudsters pretend to be a grandchild in distress, asking for money to resolve a supposed emergency. This tactic preys on the emotions of grandparents, who may be more inclined to help a loved one in need without verifying the situation.

Additionally, there’s the Jury Duty Scam, where callers allege that you’ve missed jury duty and must pay a fine to avoid legal consequences. These scammers use fear tactics to coerce victims into making immediate payments, hoping to catch them off guard and exploit their anxiety.

It’s crucial to recognize the signs of these scams and take proactive steps to protect yourself:

Stay Calm and Skeptical: Scammers often use high-pressure tactics to catch you off guard. Take a deep breath and question any unexpected or alarming phone calls.

Verify Caller Identity: If you receive a suspicious call, ask for the caller’s name, badge number, and the department they claim to represent. Hang up and independently verify their identity by contacting the official phone number of the purported agency.

Report Suspected Scams: If you believe you’ve encountered a scam, report it to local law enforcement authorities. By speaking out, you can help prevent others from falling victim to similar schemes.

The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office is committed to protecting our community from fraud and deception. If you have any concerns about a phone call you’ve received, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 864-984-4967.

Stay informed, stay cautious, and together, we can combat phone scams and safeguard our community from financial harm.