Crime & Safety

Phone Scammers Pretending To Be Officers, Deputies Targeting Howard County Residents

An ongoing phone scam is targeting Howard County residents where callers are pretending to be county officers or deputies, police say.

If you believe you may have been a victim of a telephone scam, including the current scam targeting Howard County residents, call police at 410-313-2200 or file an online police report at https://www.howardcountymd.gov/police/file-online-report.
If you believe you may have been a victim of a telephone scam, including the current scam targeting Howard County residents, call police at 410-313-2200 or file an online police report at https://www.howardcountymd.gov/police/file-online-report. (Shutterstock)

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — A phone scam where the caller pretends to be from the Howard County police department or sheriff's office has been targeting residents.

The police department said the scammers are using the real names of officers and deputies, and are demanding money for missed jury duty or outstanding arrest warrants.

"THIS IS A SCAM! Neither HCPD nor the sheriff's office will demand payment over the phone. Hang up immediately and do not arrange payment. Do not give out any personal or financial information," the police department stated. "Similar scams have involved impostors claiming to be with the IRS and BGE."

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If you believe you may have been a victim of a telephone scam, call police at 410-313-2200 or file an online police report at https://www.howardcountymd.gov/police/file-online-report.


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