Washington County, MD – Residents across Washington County are being warned today about a renewed phone scam involving callers impersonating law enforcement officers and threatening arrest unless immediate payment is made.
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, scammers are falsely claiming to be Sgt. Kelbaugh or other deputies, telling residents they have missed jury duty or have an active warrant. The callers often pressure victims into sending money quickly to “avoid arrest.”
Authorities say the scam callers may use caller ID spoofing, making it appear as though the call is coming from the Sheriff’s Office or another legitimate local number. In some cases, the scammers may also reference personal details such as a home address to appear credible.
The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that real law enforcement officers will never call to demand money, threaten arrest over the phone, or request payment through Bitcoin ATMs, cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers, or payment apps such as Zelle, Cash App, or Venmo.
“If you receive a call like this, hang up immediately,” the Sheriff’s Office stated. Residents are also advised not to call the number back, as it may connect directly to the scammer again.
Officials recommend that anyone who wants to verify a legal matter contact their local police department directly using a verified phone number or official website—not information provided by the caller.
Scams like this often surge in waves and tend to target older adults, but officials stress that anyone can be a victim. Residents are encouraged to share the warning with family members, neighbors, and coworkers.
Anyone who believes they were contacted or targeted by this scam is urged to report it to local law enforcement.
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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