Sheriff’s Department warns of scam

BCSO release
Posted 1/11/19

BAY MINETTE, Alabama — The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office has received several complaints regarding an individual involved in a phone scam. The scammer is claiming to be an employee with the …

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Sheriff’s Department warns of scam

Posted

BAY MINETTE, Alabama — The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office has received several complaints regarding an individual involved in a phone scam. The scammer is claiming to be an employee with the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office.

This scammer appears to be targeting individuals with prior arrests and or registered sex offenders, according to a release issued Friday by the Sheriff’s Department. He has been telling victims that they have unpaid fines, and they will be arrested if they don’t purchase prepay debit cards and or gift cards and provide him with the numbers on these cards.

“We have received complaints in the past of scammers identifying themselves as a Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office deputy, and informing residents that they missed jury duty, there is a warrant for their arrest, or they missed court for a traffic violation,” according to the release. “The end goal of this scam is to lead the victim to believe that the only way to resolve the issue is to send money.

“These scams are well thought out and the caller often provides a telephone number to call back in an effort to appear legitimate. You may even hear a recording indicating that you have reached the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office. In this case the suspect is targeting those who may be more inclined to believe they have unfinished business with our agency or would otherwise be motivated to go to great lengths to avoid reincarceration.

We are urging our citizens to be aware that this is a scam.”

The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office will never request personal information over the phone or in a voicemail, the release states.

“We will not ask anyone to pay any fines with cash or with a gift card for traffic citations, for missing jury duty or to avoid arrest.”

The Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating this scam, and if anyone has been a victim of this or any other scam contact the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office at 251-937-0202.