Marion County, IN – The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a surge in scam phone calls and emails impersonating law enforcement officers. Officials say scammers are pretending to be deputies and demanding money or banking details over the phone.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, these calls may falsely claim that the recipient has missed jury duty or has an outstanding warrant. Victims are then pressured to make payments through Bitcoin, Zelle, Venmo, CashApp, or gift cards — all red flags that indicate a scam.
“The MCSO will never call and ask for money over the phone,” the department said in a public statement. “We will not ask for payments in Bitcoin, Zelle, Venmo, CashApp, gift cards, or any third-party service.”
Residents who receive such calls are urged not to send money or share personal or banking information. Those uncertain about the legitimacy of a call should contact the Sheriff’s Office directly using official phone numbers.
The agency also shared a link to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) website for guidance on what to do if you’ve been scammed: https://consumer.ftc.gov.
Authorities emphasize that legitimate deputies will never threaten arrest or demand immediate payment. Community members are encouraged to stay alert and report any suspicious activity.
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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