Cops sound alarm on terrifying new trend
A chilling new phone scam has prompted police to issue an urgent warning: if you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the local sheriff's office demanding payment hang up immediately.
The Bonneville County Sheriff's Office has sounded the alarm on this latest con, where scammers pose as law enforcement officers to extort money from unsuspecting victims.
In a news release, the office described it as 'one of the most common phone scams' plaguing the area.
The criminals often mask their phone numbers to mimic actual sheriff's office or non-emergency lines. They then even use the names of real active deputies as credibility to their scam.
Victims are told they have outstanding warrants, owe fines, or have missed jury duty or court appearances.
A chilling new phone scam has prompted police to issue an urgent warning: if you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the local sheriff's office demanding payment - hang up immediately
The scammers then offer a 'solution': pay a fine over the phone to avoid arrest or jail time.
When credit cards are conveniently 'declined', victims are directed to purchase gift cards and call back with the card information.
'When a person actually owes fines to the courts or has an active warrant for their arrest, there is never a time when Law Enforcement or the Courts will call them and ask them for money over the phone,' the sheriff's office emphasized.
'Additionally, paying fines through a gift card or money card obtained at a store over the phone is never an acceptable form of payment to Idaho Courts,' the sheriff's office added.
'Typically, a person is aware of any pending court action or outstanding fines and can always call their local courts or Law Enforcement to verify the status of their case if they're not sure.'
Authorities urge anyone who has lost money or property to these scams to report the incident to local law enforcement.
'The public can also call their local court to find out and verify the acceptable methods of paying outstanding fines or fees.'
The Bonneville County Sheriff's Office has sounded the alarm on this latest con, where scammers pose as law enforcement officers to extort money from unsuspecting victims
They also advise checking financial accounts, updating passwords, and enabling security verifications for online accounts.
'If a person has an outstanding Warrant for their arrest, that person would be required to appear in person at the court or present themselves to the Jail or Law Enforcement for any sort of process to begin.'
'In some cases, a person can pay fines to the courts using the accepted methods and the warrant will be withdrawn, however direct contact with court clerks by the person involved or their attorney is required.'
Nearly a quarter of all Americans or 56.2 million US adults were victims of phone scams in 2023, losing an average of $452 each, according to Truecaller's 2024 US Spam and Scam Report.
