Houston County sheriff warns of scammers posing as deputies

Sheriff Matt Moulton says scammers use deputies’ names, fake warrants and cryptocurrency payment demands to pressure residents.

HOUSTON COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Houston County Sheriff’s Office says it receives 20 to 30 calls a day from residents reporting scammers impersonating deputies and threatening arrest unless they pay money.

Deputies are urging residents to stay alert, question unexpected calls and verify who they’re speaking with before taking action.

“My secretary will get 20 to 30 calls a day from citizens that will call and tell us they’ve received a phone call from someone who identifies themselves as a supervisor, lieutenant or captain with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, and sometimes they use our names,” Sheriff Matt Moulton said.

Moulton says these calls can be convincing and warns residents never to send money to someone threatening arrest.

“They tell them that they have a warrant for their arrest for missing jury duty or failing to pay a traffic citation,” he said. “They’ve gone so far to create what looks like an active warrant. They tell them they need to stay on the line, and they have people doing surveillance, and if they hang the phone up that, they’ll be arrested on the spot.”

Moulton says scammers are using different tactics to pressure residents into paying money, including directing them to cryptocurrency kiosks.

“They’ll do it by credit card payment and tell them to bring it to the sheriff’s office,” he said. “Then when they’ve got you on the way to the sheriff’s office, they will tell you something’s come up, and you need to reroute to a cryptocurrency kiosk. We will never call you cold and tell you you have a warrant or owe any money for a fine. We will never do that.”

Moulton is urging residents to take steps to protect their financial information and report any suspected crimes to law enforcement.

“Change your passwords,” he said. “Keep an eye on your credit reports and bank accounts. And if a crime is suspected, notify your law enforcement agency.”

He urges residents to stay alert and verify calls before sending money. If you’ve been scammed, contact your local law enforcement agency.