Hancock County, IN – The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a new scam involving a caller falsely claiming to be “Sgt. Daniels” with the department. The suspect is reportedly contacting residents and requesting DNA samples, according to a statement posted Wednesday.
Officials say the caller sometimes claims the victim has an outstanding warrant and demands payment via Apple Pay, gift cards, or other untraceable methods. The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that these calls are fraudulent and urged residents to hang up immediately if contacted.
According to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, deputies will never request DNA samples or personal financial information over the phone. They also do not request payments or handle warrants through mobile payment apps or gift cards.
Residents who receive such calls are advised not to share any information and to report the incident to local law enforcement. The department also encouraged the community to share the warning post to help prevent further victimization.
“Stay alert and stay safe,” the Sheriff’s Office wrote in its alert, reminding residents that legitimate law enforcement communication will never involve demands for payment or DNA by phone.
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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