Delaware County, PA – Residents across Delaware County are being warned about an ongoing phone scam in which callers falsely claim to represent the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, demanding money to resolve alleged legal issues.
According to the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, scammers are contacting residents by phone and insisting that immediate payment is required for supposed bench warrants, missed jury duty, or other legal matters. Officials stress that these calls are fraudulent and designed to pressure victims into sending money quickly.
Authorities say the scam has increased in recent days as the holiday season approaches, a time when scammers often prey on trust, urgency, and fear. Some callers may appear legitimate because they use a technique known as “spoofing,” which makes it look like the call is coming from an official Sheriff’s Office phone number.
The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that it will never call, text, or email residents to demand payment, especially through electronic methods. Reported payment requests have included Bitcoin, PayPal, Venmo, gift cards, and wire transfers—methods commonly used in scams because they are difficult to trace.
Officials advise residents who receive such a call to hang up immediately and avoid engaging with the caller. People are also urged not to share personal or financial information with unknown callers under any circumstances.
Anyone who is unsure about a call claiming to be from the Sheriff’s Office is encouraged to independently verify the information by contacting the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office directly at (610) 891-4296. Suspicious activity should also be reported to local law enforcement.
Residents are encouraged to share this warning with family members, friends, and elderly relatives, who are often targeted in similar scams.
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