Sheriff’s Office Warns About Scam Phone Calls

January 9, 2022

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning on Saturday about a scam.

Someone called a potential victim claiming to be a member of the ECSO administration. The scammer claimed the person had a current warrant but could choose to make a payment instead of being arrested, according to ECSO.

“The ECSO will never contact you to collect money,” the agency said in a release. “The recipient became suspicious and contacted the ECSO – which is exactly what they should have done.”

Deputies said there are multiple versions of the scam currently where fraudsters claim to be sworn law enforcement officers or other employees of the sheriff’s office.

The ECSO offered the following safety tips:

  • Always be suspicious of any threatening calls claiming to be from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
  • A legitimate business will not resort to threats as a first response to a late or missed payment.
  • Always be suspicious when asked to send an electronic payment, Green Dot card payment, or wire transfer.
  • Trust your instinct. If you feel that something “just isn’t right”, don’t give any personal or banking information to anyone over the phone. Hang up and contact your local law enforcement agency and report it.

“It is much easier to prevent fraud in the first place than to recover your money after the fact,” ECSO said.

Comments

4 Responses to “Sheriff’s Office Warns About Scam Phone Calls”

  1. Jim on January 14th, 2022 9:14 am

    The problem is that people think the world is going to stop spinning if they don’t answer every phone call they receive. If you don’t recognize the number then font answer. If it’s an important legit call the caller will leave a voicemail message. You c add n then listen to voicemail and with help of others determine if it’s legit

  2. Nicole on January 10th, 2022 11:03 pm

    It’s sad that the world has come to this. Someone called my mom telling her I was in jail and if she didn’t post bail for me they would arrest her, the scammer didn’t know that she had just hung up from talking to me and she told them to come take her away because she wasn’t getting me out. I’m still laughing about her telling them to come get her. I feel bad for people who have been taken advantage of because they want to help their family members.

  3. Paul on January 9th, 2022 2:22 pm

    I guess this means my get outta jail free card isn’t valid. ;(

  4. Ron on January 9th, 2022 11:00 am

    I have messed with these telemarketers so much,they’re calling me and hanging up.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News