Local law enforcement officials warn of ongoing phone scams targeting residents in Habersham and White Counties.
Officials say scammers are calling residents in Habersham identifying themselves as being from the Sheriff’s Office. They tell the resident there’s an outstanding warrant for someone in their household and give them a fine amount that can be paid to have the ‘warrant’ dismissed.
Payment is required in prepaid money cards called Green Dot cards. The scammer keeps the resident on the phone while they purchase the cards, then asks them for the card numbers. The scammer then tells the resident to take the Green Dot cards and the receipt to the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) or the Habersham County Clerk of Court to show proof of payment.
“If the caller is not able to speak with a person on his or her first attempt, they will leave a call back number,” a media release from HCSO states.
The most recent call back number provided provided to local law enforcement is (706) 843-4066. “Upon calling this number, you will receive a fake message allegedly from the Sheriff’s Office and several options. All options lead to the same individual or individuals perpetrating the scam,” officials say.
They warn, if you get a call like this, don’t fall for it.
What to do if scammers target you
“The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office has not ever, and does not currently, operate in this manner,” says HCSO Lt. Matthew Wurtz. “If the Sheriff’s Office has a warrant on someone, a deputy will come to the individual’s residence and personally serve the warrant and arrest the individual. The Sheriff’s Office does not collect money related to the service of a warrant and will not call a person who is the subject of a warrant and request payment of a fine.”
Wurtz urges anyone who receives such a call to “immediately contact their local law enforcement agency” and provide a detailed report including the phone number and name of the person they were contacted by.
White County Sheriff Neal Walden warns of a similar scam making the rounds there involving threats of arrest over ‘missed’ jury duty.
The prepaid Green Dot cards have quickly become scammers’ tool of choice because they can be purchased at many stores.
WRWH Radio contributed to this report
