York, SC – Residents in York County are being urged to stay alert as scammers ramp up efforts to impersonate law enforcement officials this month.
According to the York County Sheriff’s Office, callers have been falsely claiming to be Sheriff Breeden, Major Moore, or other deputies, demanding money under the guise of arrest warrants, missed jury duty, or bail. Officials stressed that the Sheriff’s Office will never request payments over the phone, through gift cards, mobile apps, or wire services.
The agency reports that scammers often pressure victims to pay using services like Venmo, Cash App, PayPal, Apple Pay, Bitcoin, or prepaid gift cards. They may threaten legal action, arrest, or fines if residents do not comply. “If someone calls claiming to be law enforcement and asks for money, hang up immediately,” deputies said.
Common scam tactics include impersonating deputies, magistrates, or court staff, claiming overdue fines, unpaid tickets, or missed jury duty. Others involve fake emergencies, fraudulent delivery fees, or impersonation of family members in distress.
The Sheriff’s Office highlighted that no legitimate officer will ever ask for social security numbers, banking details, passwords, or personal information over the phone. Officials advise residents to report suspicious calls and remind loved ones, especially seniors, not to engage with scammers.
Anyone who has been contacted or defrauded is encouraged to call the York County Sheriff’s Office directly through its official number, not through any contact 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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