SCAM Alert
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is issuing a warning to the public regarding a scam that has again surfaced locally.
The scam involves a caller claiming to be a representative from a local or surrounding law enforcement entity. The caller advises the potential victim they owe money or a family member owes money to the entity for different reasons including a warrant for their arrest. The caller advises the individual they need to purchase a “green dot” card or other form of pre-payment card from a local retailer to resolve the fraudulent legal matter. If the potential victim purchases the “green dot” card or other form of pre-payment card for the prearranged amount, the victim then provides the fraudulent caller with the card number and personal identification number from the card allowing the perpetrator to remove the balance from the card, defrauding the victim.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office would like to provide the following tips:
- Be suspicious of callers who demand immediate payment for any reason.
- Remember that anyone who has the number on a “green dot” or other payment card has access to the funds on the card.
- Never give out personal or financial information to anyone who e-mails or calls you unsolicited.
- Never wire money, provide debit or credit card numbers or Green Dot Money card numbers to someone you do not know.
- Government agencies will not contact you demanding immediate payment utilizing “green dot” cards or other pre-payment cards.
- Be suspicious of callers who instruct you to wire, transfer, or utilize a voucher system of transferring money from one bank account to another.
Anyone who has fallen victim to this scam is asked to contact their local law enforcement provider on how to report the incident. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office can be contacted at (936)-760-5800.
