The Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office has issued a warning about a recent surge in scam calls where perpetrators impersonate law enforcement officials to solicit money, as they informed the public in a social media post. According to the Sheriff's Office, these scammers claim ties with the local authority and devise schemes to defraud victims through demands for money, gift cards, or Bitcoin under false pretenses.
In a tactic shared by previous scams, the fraudster insistently poses as a member of the Sheriff's Office — they spin stories about missed jury duty, outstanding warrants, or fees, then pressure their targets to cough up cash to resolve these nonexistent legal troubles. "Scammers will also tell the person they cannot hang up the phone, or it will be considered contempt of court," stated the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office alerting the community to the deceitful nature of such calls and the urgency with which these con artists push their narrative, hoping to ensnare those who might be susceptible to panic or unfamiliar with legitimate law enforcement protocols.
In their message, the Sheriff's Office reminds residents that officers will never call individuals to demand immediate payment for anything from avoiding arrest to clearing court-related costs, clarifying their protocol to eliminate any confusion the scam might cause. "Please remember that the Sheriff's Office will never call you to demand payment to prevent arrest or to cover any fees related to jury duty, court, warrant satisfaction, or other citations," they emphasized, reinforcing their position to protect and educate the community against these deceptive practices.
