Jackson County, MO – A surge in phone and text message scams has prompted the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office to issue a warning to local residents today. Officials say scammers are targeting individuals by posing as law enforcement officers, threatening arrest, and demanding immediate payment.
According to a post from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, scammers have been contacting residents claiming to be with the Sheriff’s Office. These individuals allegedly state that the victim has missed jury duty, has a fake warrant, or is facing court issues. Victims are then told to make payments via gift cards, Bitcoin, or other electronic transfers. In some cases, the scammers may threaten arrest if their demands are not met.
The Sheriff’s Office reports that these scams have recently expanded to include fraudulent text messages, with some claiming recipients owe toll road or DMV fees. Authorities stress that these messages are fake and warn the public not to click on any suspicious links or provide payment information.
Officials note several red flags to help residents identify potential scams. These include callers or texters spoofing official phone numbers, demanding urgent payment, and refusing to let victims hang up the phone. The Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that law enforcement will never demand payment over the phone or request electronic gift cards or cryptocurrencies.
Anyone receiving suspicious messages or calls is urged to hang up immediately and contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office directly to verify the legitimacy of the communication. The department reminds the public to remain vigilant and to report all suspected scams.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram & like us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on more relevant news stories and SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT NEWS! Have something you’d like to let us know about? Message us on our social channels and let us know about it!
