PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — The Calvert County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) published a press release on Wednesday, June 30, warning residents to be aware of scammers impersonating law enforcement personnel and asking for money.
“Scammers are impersonating Sheriff’s Office personnel and demanding payment for alleged missed court dates, bench warrants, or jury duty absences,” CCSO wrote.
CCSO advised that red flags for scam calls include requests for payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency like Bitcoin, or cash transfers through a courier. They also said the public can report scam calls or contact the office with questions at 410-535-2800.
This isn’t the first time CCSO has dealt with a scam like this one, and local law enforcement offices across the country are dealing with similar issues. Technological advancements even make it so the fake numbers show up as legitimate on caller ID. Scammers may even use the name of an officer known to the person they’re calling.
Unwanted calls — including illegal and spoofed robocalls — are the No. 1 complaint to the FCC. Truecaller, a mobile app that blocks spam calls, reports an average of nine spam calls per user per month.
While the elderly are often seen as the most likely targets of scams, people between 18 and 59 are actually most likely to fall for them, according to the FTC. This may be due to younger people engaging with more technology more frequently, often facing scam attempts across email, text, phone calls and social media — both at work and at home. A new wave of AI-driven scams has also given people more reasons to stay on high alert.
As scams continue to evolve, CCSO encourages residents to learn how scams work, recognize common tactics, and remain cautious when asked to provide money or personal information.
crCheck out this article to learn more tips on how to protect yourself from scams: Community Reports Surge In Internet Fraud, Including E-ZPass And Bank Scams
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The post “This Is The Sheriff’s Office” — Except It’s Not: Calvert Warns Of Fake Cop Calls appeared first on The BayNet.
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