Marietta, OH – Residents across Washington County are being warned today after the Washington County Sheriff’s Office reported multiple incidents of scam phone calls from individuals posing as law enforcement. Deputies say callers are falsely claiming there is a warrant for the recipient’s arrest unless immediate payment or personal information is provided.
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, this scam has resurfaced in the area and appears to be targeting residents across the county and the broader Mid-Ohio Valley region. Officials stressed that legitimate deputies will never call and demand payment, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or sensitive financial information over the phone.
The sheriff’s office noted that real warrants are served in person by law enforcement, and deputies do not threaten arrest during phone calls. They also confirmed that the agency does not accept any form of payment through gift cards, apps, or wire transfers.
Residents who receive one of these scam calls are urged to follow three steps:
• Do not provide any personal or financial information.
• Hang up immediately.
• Report the call to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Local authorities are asking the public to help spread the warning, especially to older adults or individuals who may be more vulnerable to scam attempts. Deputies emphasized that increased community awareness significantly reduces the success rate of impersonation scams.
Anyone with information or who believes they may have been targeted is encouraged to contact the sheriff’s office directly.
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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