MORGAN COUNTY–The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office issued a media release on Wednesday, July 19 regarding an ongoing phone scam in Morgan County:
“TELEPHONE SCAM
I want to warn all Morgan County residents of an ongoing telephone scam where persons are pretending to represent the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office.
Three reports have been made in the last 24 hours where residents have been contacted by a person who claimed to be a Morgan County Sheriff’s deputy. The “deputy” told the residents that they had “failed to report for jury duty” and that there was a “warrant for their arrest”. The “deputy” then offered to accept a payment of a “fine” over the phone, and gave instructions on how to go to a specific place and purchase loadable money cards.
The call came from a number which displayed as “256-898-3010”. When that number is dialed, an answering machine identifies it as “The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office”, and asks you to leave a message.
THIS IS A SCAM!
Neither the Sheriff’s Office, nor any other law enforcement agency will call and demand or accept payment in lieu of an arrest over the phone. Any warrant issued by the courts must be served. Any fine or fines levied must be paid to the Clerk of the Court.
If you ever receive a phone call from the Sheriff’s Office where someone is offering to allow you to pay money over the phone to avoid arrest, hang up. Look up the number to the Sheriff’s Office and call THAT number. Ask to speak with a Deputy Sheriff or an Investigator. Tell them what happened.”
