Telephone SCAM using the Louisa County Sheriff's Office Number

CITIZENS BEWARE!! PHONE SCAM

Recently the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office has received several telephone calls from citizens about a scam that is currently being perpetrated on possible unsuspecting victims. Apparently, the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office phone number has been used to SPOOF unsuspecting citizens into believing they have an active arrest warrant. Callers have also been known to say that they are a Sheriff’s Deputy that has been working with the IRS or Social Security Office.  The caller tells the citizen that they have an active arrest warrant and demanded the citizen make immediate payment for a specified amount, via a credit card or debit card to avoid being arrested immediately. These callers are using Sheriff Lowe’s, or other employee’s, names to try to add validity to the call.  It is said that if the citizen asks questions or challenges the caller, the caller will become irate and start yelling and or even cursing at the citizen.

One of the problems that SPOOFING presents is that the number showing on the citizen’s “Caller ID”, is that of the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office. In some cases, the citizens have fallen into the scam and have lost money to the criminals.

Remember these facts:

• Law Enforcement will NEVER call and tell you that there is an arrest warrant on you or one of your family members.
• Law Enforcement will NEVER attempt to solicit money from you to prevent your or your loved one’s arrest.
• Law Enforcement will NEVER begin yelling and cursing at you to get you to meet their demands.

If you should receive a phone call from someone and they do any of the things listed above, simply hang up the phone and call your local law enforcement office and report the incident. You may also file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission at http://www.fcc.gov/complaints.

Remember to always remain cautious and suspicious when receiving any telephone calls where the caller is trying to solicit money from you. If in doubt, DON’T!!!!!