The Clayton County Sheriff’s Office is alerting the public about a rise in phone scams involving impostors pretending to be law enforcement officers or deputies. The scammers use spoofed numbers and pressure their targets into sending money or personal information.
How the Scams Work
The scammers call unsuspecting residents and claim that they have missed jury duty, have warrants for their arrest, or have a loved one in jail. They then demand payment to clear the situation, using platforms such as CashApp, Zelle, GooglePay, Apple Pay, Venmo, gift cards, or Bitcoin. They may also ask for personal information such as social security numbers, bank accounts, or credit card numbers.
The Clayton County Sheriff’s Office will never solicit payments or personal information over the phone, Sheriff Levon Allen said in a statement. He added that anyone who receives such a call should hang up and verify it by contacting the sheriff’s office directly at 770-477-4479.
How to Protect Yourself from Phone Scams
Phone scams are a common and growing problem across the country. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost more than $3.3 billion to phone scams in 2020, up from $1.8 billion in 2019. To avoid becoming a victim, here are some tips:
- Do not answer calls from unknown numbers or numbers that look similar to yours.
- Do not trust caller ID, as scammers can spoof any number they want.
- Do not give out any personal or financial information over the phone, unless you initiated the call and know who you are talking to.
- Do not send money or gift cards to anyone you do not know or trust, especially if they ask you to do it urgently or secretly.
- Do not press any buttons or follow any instructions from automated messages.
- Do not believe any threats or promises that sound too good to be true.
How to Report Phone Scams
If you receive a phone scam call, do not engage with the caller or provide any information. Instead, report it to the authorities as soon as possible. You can do so by:
- Calling the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office at 770-477-4479, available 24/7.
- Texting TIP CCSOGA to 888777 to make an anonymous report to the sheriff’s office.
- Filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint or by calling 1-877-382-4357.
- Reporting the scam to your phone carrier, as they may be able to block the number or take other actions.
Sheriff Allen urged the residents of Clayton County to be vigilant and cautious when answering phone calls. He also thanked those who have reported the scam attempts and helped spread the word. “Together, we can stop these scammers from taking advantage of our community,” he said.
