If you receive a phone call from someone who says they’re a Lee County sheriff deputy, and they ask you to pay court fines over the phone, just hang up.
That’s the advice from Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones, who said scammers are calling Lee County residents claiming to be a deputy named James Marshall. Other times they claim to be a sergeant working with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
On the call, the person informs people they have missed grand jury or jury duty or have an unpaid traffic fine that could result in arrest if fines are not immediately paid.
The scammer then tells individuals to purchase cash cards or money orders at stores like Walmart then call back and give them the number for the money order. The “fines” are usually around $500. If they pay the fine, the scammers tell them, they can avoid arrest.
“Of course, it is a complete scam,” Jones said. “The sheriff’s office does not solicit any funds by making phone calls in regards to actions that are ongoing or pending in courts.”
And neither does the Lee County Circuit Court. All unpaid fines are addressed in person with a deputy coming to your door or over official letterhead through the U.S. Postal Service.
“We do not do it on the phone,” Jones said. “Simply hang up on the individual. Do not cooperate at all. It is a typical type of scam where someone is trying to get money by relying on the person’s fear.”
Jones said that the Lee County Sheriff’s Office has received complaints about calls like these about this time of year for the past two to three years. The phone numbers are usually 334 area codes, but the call-back number is usually based out of an Atlanta area code.
“This is not the first time that we have had this, and we certainly want to get this information out there and keep people safe,” Jones said.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the phone scams, but no arrests have been made yet. The individuals use complex computer software to hide their location and the IP address used to make the online calls.
“It’s difficult to get a handle on it,” Jones said.
Jones said it was difficult to say whether the same person is conducting all of the phone calls, but it is usually a male.
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