The Branch County Sheriff’s Office is warning local residents about an active phone scam where a caller poses as a sheriff’s sergeant.
According to a press release issued Thursday, the crooks use the real name and badge number of an actual sergeant to trick victims into believing the call is legitimate. The caller then demands an immediate payment using Bitcoin.
Sheriff’s officials stressed that the department will never call residents to demand money or request payments through cryptocurrency, gift cards, or prepaid cards.
Scammers frequently use publicly available information, along with technology that spoofs caller ID displays to make their calls appear authentic.
Police advise residents to never give out personal or financial details, send money, or rely solely on an officer’s badge number to verify their identity. If someone claims to be with the sheriff’s office and demands money, residents should hang up immediately.
If you feel you’ve been the victim of a scam, contact local law enforcement.
