Detectives from the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department are warning citizens of a local telephone scam that appears to have resurfaced from last year, according to a news release.
Officers recently received various reported incidents of residents that have been contacted by individuals via telephone that are portraying themselves as either the local police department, sheriff’s departments or even the court system.
The suspected caller attempts to deceive the caller by advising that they have some type of outstanding court cost/fines. A second variation is that the suspects are advising victims that they have missed a court date, such as jury duty, and that a warrant will be issued for their arrest.
The suspects will then provide a fraudulent solution, suggesting that the victim obtain a pre-paid credit card in the amount of the fictitious fine.
In most of the cases, the suspects tend to prey upon citizens by confusing and obscuring the victim with verbal tactics. They also are using the names of actual police officers, as well as court officials, during the scheme.
Kosciusko County Chief Deputy Rocky Goshert said that neither the county court system, nor the sheriff’s department, contact individuals over the telephone regarding such matters. Any such payments for court cost, fines and/or warrants must be made in person at the Kosciusko County Justice Building.
Goshert also urges residents to be very protective of their personal information. If contacted, detectives are advising the public to simply hang up or notify local law enforcement to report the incident.
