Editor’s note: On Thursday, March 30, 2023, Whiteside County Sheriff John Booker submitted this warning to citizens, about “five or six” recent telephone scams.
“We’ve recently received several reports of the “Arrest Warrant Scam.” In case you haven’t heard of this one, scammers create a fake caller ID. This allows them to call you and appear to be calling from a local Police, Sheriff, or other Law Enforcement agency, even using the name of one of our actual Deputies. They say there is a warrant out for your arrest, you can pay a fine in order to avoid further criminal charges.
I”n case you did not know, the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office will not call, text, or email anyone demanding a form of payment, especially by bitcoin, and/or gift cards. We prefer knocking on the door and serving these warrants in person.
“If you receive a call from these scammers do not give them any personal information, and certainly do not make a payment over the phone or through a kiosk. If you receive a call like this, and you’re still not convinced it is a scam, contact your local Law Enforcement authorities directly.””If you receive a call from these scammers do not give them any personal information, and certainly do not make a payment over the phone or through a kiosk. If you receive a call like this, and you’re still not convinced it is a scam, contact your local Law Enforcement authorities directly.”
Here are some other ways these con artist work.
The scammer says you’ve won a sweepstakes or lottery, but you must send money to collect.
The scammer says your assets are frozen until you pay a fake debt, fine, or lien.
The scammer says he will help you recover money you already lost in a scam.
The scammer says she is collecting back taxes or immigration fees.
The scammer threatens to fine you, put you in prison, or take your property unless you pay.
The scammer says they are protecting you from being scammed.
The scammer tells you to take money out of your bank account, tells you to wire money, get a gift card, or buy cryptocurrency.
The scammer demands secrecy, tells you to act right away, and says you are about to lose money.
If a scammer contacts you, your report can help stop them by going to ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Share as much information as you can, including:
the date and time of the call
the person and agency name the scammer used
what they wanted you to do, pay, or share, including amounts
the phone number that showed up on your caller ID. Even a fake number can help Law Enforcement track the scammer.
