Peoria, IL – Residents across Peoria County are being warned about a phone scam in which callers falsely claim to be from the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office, authorities said Wednesday afternoon.
According to the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office, the scammers are calling residents and using the names of actual Sheriff’s Office employees, claiming the recipient has a warrant for their arrest. The department confirmed that one of the numbers being used in the scam is 309-617-1187.
Officials emphasized that the Sheriff’s Office will not call to inform anyone about a warrant, nor will deputies ever demand immediate payment to avoid arrest. “If you receive one of these calls, hang up and do not provide any personal or financial information,” the agency stated in a Facebook post.
Residents who have received such calls are urged to report them to local law enforcement and warn friends and family members. Scams impersonating law enforcement have become increasingly common across Illinois, often preying on fear to collect fraudulent payments via phone or gift cards.
Authorities remind residents to verify suspicious calls directly through official Sheriff’s Office contact numbers listed on their website or through verified government directories.
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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