New Text and Phone Scam Emerges in Warren County
A sophisticated phone scam is making the rounds in Warren County, Kentucky, with fraudsters posing as law enforcement officers in an attempt to cheat unsuspecting residents. The scam came to light recently when a concerned citizen reported receiving a disturbing text message claiming to be from a law enforcement officer.
The Deceptive Scam
In this new scam, fraudsters are using spoofed numbers to pose as a law enforcement officer, in this case, a certain ‘Sergeant Ken’ from the local police department. The scammer tries to deceive the recipient by asserting that they have missed a federal court summons and are now facing a penalty of over $1,000. The twist, however, lies in the mode of payment – the fraudsters are demanding that the penalty be paid at the popular retailer, Walmart via scanning of unique codes dispatched to the recipient’s phone.
The case in point involved a call from the number (270)-249-9856, now believed to be a spoofed number. Spoofing involves masking the actual phone number with a different number, often making it seem as though the call is local or from a reputable agency.
Law Enforcement’s Response
The local sheriff’s office has issued a stern warning to residents about this new age scam tactic, emphasizing that no law enforcement agency will ever call individuals regarding a missed court date or an active arrest warrant. The office also made it clear that court fees and penalties can’t be paid by sending cash, gift cards, or digital currencies like Bitcoin via mobile apps to anyone claiming to represent the court or the police.
Precautionary Measures
Residents are being urged to remain vigilant against such scams. If you receive a call or a text from someone claiming to be an officer or a federal official, remember:
- Law enforcement will never call you about a missed court date or an active warrant.
- You should never pay court fees or fines through gift cards, Bitcoin, or direct money transfer apps.
- If in doubt, contact your local sheriff’s office or police department and verify the information.
In the wake of this new scam, it is crucial for everyone to stay informed, and remain vigilant against the sophisticated tactics employed by fraudsters. Remember, when in doubt, reach out to the appropriate authorities to verify the information.
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