Rutherfordton, NC – The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about scammers impersonating a local deputy and requesting call-backs about so-called “sensitive matters.”
According to a social media post issued Monday by the Sheriff’s Office, scammers have been leaving messages claiming to be Sgt. Zach Campbell. The callers reportedly instruct residents to return the call regarding unspecified sensitive issues.
Officials said one resident contacted the Sheriff’s Office directly to verify the message before responding. Authorities confirmed that Sgt. Campbell and other deputies do not call residents about sensitive matters.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, scammers typically attempt to pressure victims into sending money by fabricating scenarios such as missed jury duty and threatening arrest or jail time. Officials emphasized that legitimate law enforcement agencies do not request payment over the phone to resolve legal matters.
The department is advising residents not to return these calls and not to provide personal or financial information. Simply hanging up and ignoring the message can help prevent financial loss.
Impersonation scams targeting jury duty and law enforcement authority have been reported across North Carolina in recent years, often using spoofed phone numbers to appear legitimate.
Young adults and new residents may be particularly vulnerable to jury-duty-related scams due to unfamiliarity with official court procedures.
Anyone who receives a suspicious call claiming to be from the Sheriff’s Office is encouraged to contact the agency directly using its official published number.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input.
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