Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Warns Citizens of Ongoing Scams
Scams Involving Fraudsters Posing as Police Officers on The Rise in Beaufort County
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is sounding the alarm on a rising wave of scams plaguing the area. The scam attempts involve individuals impersonating police officers in an effort to defraud unsuspecting community members.
Fraudsters Posing as Police Officers
According to a recent community alert issued on July 23, the Sheriff’s Office has been alerted to multiple incidents in the past week. Citizens have reported receiving calls from a person claiming to be a representative of the Sheriff’s Office. The caller then solicits payment for fines or penalties linked to alleged missed jury duty or other legal obligations.
The Sheriff’s Office has vehemently denounced these fraudulent activities. In the issued statement, the office emphasized it does not accept payments for fines and penalties relating to criminal matters and certainly does not solicit the payment of these fines over the telephone.
How to Respond if Contacted by Potential Scammers
If a community member receives a suspicious call, the Sheriff’s Office advises “simply hang up”. For those who question the validity of the information provided, the Sheriff’s Office recommends asking for a callback number and then reaching out to their office for verification.
Moreover, the agency strongly advises against providing personal or banking information over the phone unless the individual has a known established relationship with the caller.
Staying Vigilant Against Scammers
The Sheriff’s Office is urging citizens to guard against potential scams by staying vigilantly alert. “Scammers are always creating new and clever ways to defraud unknowing victims.” said the Sheriff’s Office. As such, community members are urged to remain cautious and proactive in protecting their personal information.
Continued Efforts Against Scams
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is resolving to continue its efforts in protecting citizens from scams. By providing alerts and practical advice, the agency is striving to raise public awareness and put an end to these fraudulent activities.
Scams like this take a toll on communities, not only economically, but also in terms of the trust between the community and legitimate law enforcement. Therefore, the Sheriff’s Office’s commitment to providing timely and relevant information to the community is an essential part of reducing the impact of these fraudulent acts.
