Residents of Ellis County are being targeted by a particularly sly phone scam, as shared by the Midlothian Police Department on social media. The scam, which has reportedly occurred before, involves callers claiming to be "Sgt. Mike McKenna from the Ellis County Courts," who attempt to con residents into believing they owe money or must pay fines immediately to prevent arrest. In reality, while there is indeed a Mike McKenna at the Ellis County Sheriff's Office, he's not in the business of making such demands over the phone.
The Midlothian Police Department's social media post warns that these calls may seem credible; the scammers utilize spoofed numbers and speak in official tones, weaving a convincing narrative. The scammers may exert pressure, equipped with threats of legal action or arrest for those reluctant to comply. Yet the truth, as shared in the Midlothian Police Department's announcement, is that no entity affiliated with Ellis County government will resort to phone calls to demand payments.
The key, amid this web of deceit, is to react with skepticism and caution. If one receives a call from someone purporting to be Sgt. If McKenna or any other county official asks for money, the simple yet effective advice is to hang up immediately. Moreover, the police stress the importance of not sharing personal or financial information over the phone, and to fortify one's defense by reporting the scam to local law enforcement as well as the Ellis County Sheriff's Office.
