Franklin County, IL – The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents about a new phone scam targeting locals and falsely claiming to come from the department.
According to a post shared Monday by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, scammers are calling residents and pretending to be deputies. The callers allegedly tell victims they have outstanding warrants or missed jury duty, demanding immediate payment to avoid arrest.
Authorities emphasized that the sheriff’s office will never request payment over the phone or through gift cards, Venmo, or other digital payment apps.
“If you receive a call like this, hang up immediately and do not give out any personal or financial information,” the sheriff’s office stated. “If you are ever unsure whether a call is legitimate, contact us directly.”
The department is urging residents to spread awareness by sharing the warning and reminding family members—especially seniors—who may be more vulnerable to such scams.
Residents who have received suspicious calls are encouraged to report them to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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