Dallas County, IA – Residents across Dallas County are being warned about a fresh wave of phone and email scams after numerous community members reported receiving messages claiming to be from the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office. The alert was issued Friday as incidents increased heading into the weekend.
According to the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, scammers have been impersonating a sheriff’s lieutenant and contacting residents about an “urgent legal matter,” urging them to respond immediately. Deputies stressed that the calls are fraudulent and that the office does not contact residents in this manner regarding legal issues or warrants.
Authorities said the scam appears to be part of a broader trend in Iowa and across the Midwest, where callers spoof government numbers and use real names of local officials to appear legitimate. In this case, the sheriff’s office confirmed that the lieutenant referenced in the calls had no involvement and that no such legal notices were being issued.
The sheriff’s office is advising residents to ignore the calls, block the numbers, and report any suspicious messages. Law enforcement also emphasized that legitimate agencies will never demand immediate action, payment, or personal information over the phone.
Officials encourage Dallas County, Des Moines metro, and central Iowa residents to stay alert, especially as scam activity tends to rise during weekends and holidays.
Residents who received the scam call or email can report it to the Iowa Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division or through the sheriff’s 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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