Media Advisory Scam Callers Try Impersonating Sheriff Again; Rebuffed by Informed Citizens

Upper Marlboro, MD… The Bad News is that Phone Scammers tried to scam county residents out of money again by impersonating the Sheriff and telling residents there were outstanding warrants for them that they needed to take care of with cash payments. The Good News is that citizens didn’t buy the scams and alerted the Sheriff’s Office.

 Every time scam callers and their scams emerge, the Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff, is advising county residents to beware of scam callers asking for money to close open warrants or resolve other court-related actions. “On July 28, 2019, our office received three phone calls from county residents reporting scam callers who had contacted them posing as a Deputy Sheriff and who tried to get the residents to make payments to close the warrants or other court action,” said Sheriff High. 

Over the last 5 years, the Office of the Sheriff has repeatedly reported to the public through support and assistance from the media, at community meetings, and through its social media platform that the Office of the Sheriff never requests money from citizens to resolve open court matters. Scammers often use the cover of law enforcement to scare victims into giving them money, usually by a transfer of funds via gift cards or wire transaction. The callers in this case called with a number that showed as the Office of the Sheriff’s reception desk or 301-780-8600.

Please be reminded that the Office of the Sheriff never requests money from citizens or residents to resolve open court matters. The Sheriff advises citizens not to engage with scammers on the phone and under no circumstances give them money or provide them with personal information.

The Office of the Sheriff is asking the media to advise citizens of these scams if anyone receives a call to contact the Prince Georges County Police at 301-772-4420 to file an incident report.

For more information, contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-7354.