Residents receiving calls from people posing as sheriff’s deputies asking for money should not respond with cash or green dot cards, a sheriff’s detective said Friday.
This is a scam where criminals are trying to take residents’ money, Detective Tony Grissom said in speaking to people at St. Clair Senior Center.
Most of these scams originate in a Georgia prison, he said. Inmates threaten to arrest people for missing jury duty or having an arrest warrant and ask them to put money on a green dot card.
“If you hear the word ‘green dot card,’ it’s a scam,” Grissom said.
Deputy Chief Egon Grissom said the sheriff’s office never calls residents about missing grand jury or court dates.
“The sheriff’s office will never call you and ask for money,” Chief Grissom said.
Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh said one caller told him he missed a court date and asked for money. Fitzhugh simply replied he knew the sheriff and would check on it.
“If you don’t know the number, I would suggest you not answer the phone,” Fitzhugh said. “If you have any doubt, call the sheriff’s office or other police departments who will tell you if it’s legitimate.”
One senior asked how you could tell if a call was a scam or not.
Detective Grissom said question everything.
“We advise you against sending money to someone you don’t know,” Grissom said.
One senior asked about buying online.
Detective Grissom said be careful when buying products online. One way to check is to review the company online.
One new technique is criminals skimming information off debit cards off people nearby. The cards contain information sold online with personal information. Limit the amount of personal information released. Also, protect debit cards with liners.
Also, he and Chief Grissom warned people about giving money to people seeking cash in parking lots. Some of these people use children or pets for needs when it is simply a way to get free money.
Photo: Detective Tony Grissom gives advice on ways to avoid being the victim of a scam. He spoke at St. Clair Senior Center Friday.
