Cumberland County, North Carolina – The sheriff’s office is warning residents about scammers posing as county officials and demanding payment by phone.
According to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, individuals have recently been impersonating deputies and other government representatives, falsely claiming residents owe fines or face arrest. Officials said scammers are using spoofing technology to make calls appear as though they originate from the sheriff’s office’s legitimate phone number.
The department emphasized that no Cumberland County government entity will demand payment over the phone. Authorities also stated they do not accept Bitcoin or any other form of cryptocurrency for fines or fees.
According to the sheriff’s office, residents will never be called and threatened with arrest or prosecution in exchange for immediate payment. Officials added that legitimate court fines and fees must be paid directly through the appropriate Clerk of Court’s Office.
Law enforcement is urging residents to hang up immediately if they receive such a call and to avoid sharing personal or financial information. Anyone who believes they have been targeted or victimized is encouraged to report the incident to local authorities.
The alert may be especially relevant for students and young workers who frequently use mobile payment platforms and could be targeted through spoofed calls.
Authorities said the investigation into the scam activity is ongoing.
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