The Montgomery County (MD) Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a rise in scam calls where impersonators claim there’s a warrant for arrest and demand payment via prepaid cards. Officials emphasize that the Sheriff’s Office will never request money or financial information over the phone and urge anyone affected to report it.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office posted the following on its Facebook account:
“The Sheriff’s Office has been noticing an uptick in scam calls reported by residents of the County. Sheriff Maxwell Uy would like to remind everyone that the Sheriff’s Office will NEVER ask for money or financial information over the phone. Also, it is important to remember that paying a “fine” will not clear up a warrant.
These scammers are giving the following fictitious story when they get an intended victim on the phone:
“My name is (insert fake name) from the Sheriff’s Office (insert fake Section). You missed a court date/jury duty/failed to answer a summons, and the Judge has issued a warrant for your arrest. If you don’t pay a fine, my deputies will be coming to arrest you immediately.”
The scammers then instruct the victim to put some amount of money on a prepaid card and provide the numbers over the phone.
DO NOT FALL FOR THIS SCAM.
No legitimate law enforcement agency will behave in this manner. If you have questions about this scam, contact our Office and we will be glad to discuss it with you. If you have given money to one of these scammers, please contact the Montgomery County Police at 301-279-8000″