Richland County residents warned of telephone scam
If someone claiming to work for the Richland County Sheriff’s Department calls demanding money to lift a warrant against you for late payment (or any other reason), don’t believe it. It’s a scam, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said Thursday.
The caller may sound authentic; your caller-ID may show that the call is coming from the sheriff’s department. Still, don’t believe it because “no law enforcement agency will make such calls to your home demanding money,” Lott said.
Warnings are issued periodically by area law enforcement after citizens report such scam calls. Earlier this year, Lexington and Newberry County law enforcement warned of similar scams.
A 75-year-old Lexington County man told investigators in March that he was called by a man posing as a captain with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. The scammer had a story to tell that involved the old man’s grandson and legal problems that a $4000 gift card could resolve. This was a scam, then-acting Lexington County Sheriff Lewis McCartey said.
Also in March, a caller told a Newberry County resident that a warrant for missed jury duty will be dropped if he or she pays money through Western Union or a Visa Gift card. Failing that, the victim must turn himself in to the sheriff’s office, the caller warns. Again, a scam.
In February, 3 people in Horry County were sent to federal prison after scamming elderly people around the country with a bogus lottery scam. Victims were told they had won a lottery or sweepsteak but to collect their winnings, they would have to pay fees or taxes in advance, US attorney Bill Nettles said at the time.
If you receive a call from anyone saying they are from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and demanding money for any reason, you are asked to write down the name of the caller, hang up and call 803-576-3000 at the sheriff’s office.
This story was originally published April 30, 2015 at 4:48 PM with the headline "Richland County residents warned of telephone scam."