Dayton, OH – Residents across Montgomery County are being warned about a new wave of highly convincing phone scams that impersonate the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and pressure targets into making urgent payments.
According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), callers pose as deputies and claim the resident has failed to appear in court or has an unresolved legal matter. The scammers allegedly threaten arrest unless the victim makes an immediate payment using services such as PayPal, Apple Pay, or money orders. Officials noted that caller ID spoofing is frequently used to make the call appear legitimate.
“These scammers can be extremely convincing,” Sheriff Rob Streck said. “They exploit fear and confusion to pressure people into compliance. Let me be clear: the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office will never call residents to demand payment or threaten arrest for unpaid fines, warrants, or missed court dates.”
Investigators also learned that scammers have been using real names of Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office employees to enhance the credibility of the scheme.
Sheriff Streck emphasized that this tactic is deliberate: “Always verify the authenticity of any call, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your local police department to report suspicious activity.”
MCSO urges residents to stay vigilant, educate family and friends—especially older adults who are frequently targeted—and share the warning with neighbors and community groups. Anyone who receives a suspicious call is encouraged to hang up immediately and contact law enforcement directly using an official phone number, not one provided by the caller.
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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