Windsor County, VT – Residents across Windsor County are being warned today after authorities reported a surge in scam phone calls impersonating the Windsor County Sheriff’s Department, with callers demanding payment for alleged warrants or bail. According to the Windsor County Sheriff’s Department, scammers are using spoofed phone numbers that appear to come from the sheriff’s office and are falsely claiming that individuals must immediately pay fines, warrants, or bail over the phone to avoid arrest.
Details & Impact
Officials emphasized that legitimate law enforcement agencies will never request payment for fines, warrants, or bail by phone. Scammers have reportedly been using the real names of deputies to sound convincing, increasing the risk that residents may believe the calls are authentic.
The department is urging anyone who receives such a call to hang up immediately and not provide any personal or financial information. Payments made under these circumstances are almost always unrecoverable, authorities said.
What Residents Should Do
If you receive a suspicious call claiming to be from law enforcement:
- Do not send money or gift cards
- Do not share personal or banking information
- Hang up and contact the sheriff’s department directly using a verified phone number
Residents who believe they may have been targeted or already sent money are encouraged to report the incident to local law enforcement as soon as possible.
Community Reminder
Officials say scam activity often increases during busy seasons and relies on fear and urgency to pressure victims into acting quickly.
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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