Canton, OH – The Stark County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents today about a new wave of phone scams after two alarming cases were reported within hours of each other, targeting people across Stark County and surrounding Northeast Ohio communities.
According to the Stark County Sheriff’s Office, one victim received a call from a scammer pretending to be Sheriff Weisburn, threatening arrest for missing jury duty. The caller allegedly demanded thousands of dollars in payment through Bitcoin kiosks, cash apps, and Coinbase—methods law enforcement says are a major red flag for fraud.
In a second case, deputies said a scammer contacted a resident claiming a family member was being released from jail but needed immediate payment for an ankle monitor. The caller again pushed for fast cryptocurrency-based payments, a tactic investigators say scammers increasingly use to avoid detection.
Officials emphasized that no legitimate law enforcement agency—including the Stark County Sheriff’s Office—will ever call or text demanding payment for warrants, missed jury duty, or any official service. Deputies said any request involving Bitcoin, Coinbase, or other cryptocurrency exchanges is an almost certain sign of a scam.
The Sheriff’s Office also warned residents that urgency is a key manipulation tactic. A demand for immediate payment, deputies said, should always trigger suspicion. Anyone receiving similar calls is urged to hang up and reach out directly to the organization using verified contact information, not numbers provided by the caller.
As scam attempts continue to rise across Ohio, authorities are asking residents to share the warning with friends, family, seniors, and neighbors who may be more vulnerable—or who believe they’re too savvy to be scammed.
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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