Washington County, MD – Residents across Washington County are being warned to stay alert after scammers once again began impersonating local law enforcement officers in an effort to steal money from victims.
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, callers are falsely claiming to be Sgt. Ward or other deputies and telling residents they face arrest for missing jury duty or having an active warrant. The scammers then allegedly instruct victims to avoid arrest by paying fines immediately using cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin ATMs, or peer-to-peer payment apps like Zelle, Cash App, or Venmo.
Authorities say the calls are not coming from the sheriff’s office, even though the phone number may appear legitimate on caller ID. Officials warn scammers are using caller ID spoofing to make it look like calls originate from real law enforcement numbers and may reference personal information, such as a home address, to sound credible.
The sheriff’s office emphasized that real law enforcement officers will never call residents to demand payment or threaten arrest over the phone. Officials also stated they will not accept fines through gift cards, digital payment apps, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
Residents who receive such a call are urged to hang up immediately and not call the number back. Anyone wishing to verify information should contact their local police department directly using a phone number or website they know is legitimate.
Officials say these scams often resurface periodically and rely on fear and urgency to pressure victims into acting quickly. Community members are encouraged to share the warning with friends and family, especially older residents who are often targeted.
Anyone who believes they may have been contacted by scammers or may have provided information is encouraged to report the incident to local authorities.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
Follow us on Instagram & Facebook for more relevant news stories and SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT NEWS! Have a tip? Message us!
