Licking County, OH – Residents are being warned to stay alert after the Licking County Sheriff’s Office issued a monthly reminder about ongoing phone scams targeting local residents, some of which involve threats of arrest and demands for immediate payment.
According to the Licking County Sheriff’s Office, deputies will never call residents demanding money, threatening arrest, or pressuring them to act immediately. Officials say scammers frequently impersonate law enforcement and, in some cases, even use the names of real deputies to sound more convincing.
Authorities report that these scam calls often claim the recipient has missed jury duty, owes a fine, or faces imminent arrest unless payment is made on the spot. The sheriff’s office emphasized that any such request should be treated as a scam.
Officials say common red flags include demands for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or mobile payment apps such as Cash App, Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal. Scammers may also ask for bank account numbers, routing information, Social Security numbers, or other personal identifying details. Another warning sign is being told to keep the call secret or to act immediately without verifying the information.
The sheriff’s office stressed that legitimate fines, warrants, or legal matters are never handled over the phone with instant payment demands. Residents who receive suspicious calls are encouraged to hang up and, if concerned, contact the sheriff’s office directly using an official phone number.
Officials also ask residents to share the warning with family members, friends, and especially older relatives, who are often targeted in phone-based scams.
Anyone who believes they have been targeted or victimized by a scam is encouraged to report it to local law enforcement.
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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