Watch out for Scammers Pretending to be York County Deputies
York County, S.C., – The local community is on high alert as scammers, pretending to be deputies from York County Sheriff’s office, attempt to defraud residents. In a recent incident, one dubious individual tried to con Kevin Miller, an unsuspecting local, out of $3,000. Despite mimicking professional police correspondence and displaying a legitimate officer’s contact number, the scammer was unable to fool Kevin.
Scammers Pose as York County Deputies
Local man, Kevin Miller, received voicemails which stated, “I’m trying to reach a Kevin Miller. My name is Sgt. Smith”. The following voicemail continued saying “I’m calling in regard to some legal matters.” Concerned about the possibility of inadvertently violating the law, Miller decided to return the call for clarification.
Victims Threatened with Unpaid Fines
The caller proceeded to claim that Miller had outstanding citations for failing to appear in court and was in contempt for missing jury service. The total amount to settle the legal trouble, according to the scammer, was $3,000, payable through Zelle, a digital payment solution. York County does indeed have a Sgt. Smith, and a matching area code was used, but Miller remained skeptical and didn’t succumb to the scam.
Public official statement and reminders came swiftly after Miller’s incident. Authorities clarified that under no circumstances will an officer call residents demanding money. Likewise, should there be an issue with missed jury duty, residents would be notified via a mailed letter rather than a phone call. Residents are always entitled to a hearing before any fine is issued.
Beware of Impersonation Scams
The law enforcement community has been working feverishly to highlight the issue across all platforms. Warnings of such scams have been broadcast to the broader community through various channels. If a call seems suspicious, residents are strongly advised to hang up and contact the court clerk directly. Beware that scammers often forge caller IDs, so it’s essential not to trust any suspicious calls, especially those soliciting payments.
In a recent social media post by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, another similar warning was issued, signaling the prevalence of this scam across the wider region.
Rapid Response Policy
As part of a new action plan to combat this scam, residents losing money through Zelle scams might now be in line to get their money refunded by their respective banks.
Be Safe and Vigilant
With multiple reports of similar scams, it’s a timely reminder for residents to remain vigilant and not engage with suspicious calls alleging criminal or legal repercussions. Initiating independent contact with the relevant authority to verify any legal matters is always recommended to avoid falling for such scams.
