Residents of Montgomery County have been increasingly reporting incidents of scam calls, prompting Sheriff Maxwell Uy to issue a warning. The scam involves callers posing as deputies, claiming that the individual has missed a court appearance or similar obligation and that a warrant has been issued for their arrest. The Sheriff's Office has clarified, in a social media post, that they do not request money or financial information over the phone and emphasized that such behavior isn't consistent with any legitimate law enforcement practices.
The Montgomery County (MD) Sheriff's Office post, which details the scam's operation, cited that the fraudulent callers provide a fictitious narrative, including a bogus identity and section of the Sheriff's Office, to pressure victims into believing they need to pay a supposed fine to avoid arrest. “My name is (insert fake name) from the Sheriff’s Office (insert fake Section). You missed a court date/jury duty/failed to answer a summons, and the Judge has issued a warrant for your arrest. If you don’t pay a fine, my deputies will be coming to arrest you immediately,” the scam script reads. The scammers then attempt to coerce individuals into purchasing prepaid cards and relaying the card numbers over the phone, a clear red flag of fraudulent activity.
Reiterating that no legitimate agency would conduct itself in such a manner, the Sheriff's Office has offered to discuss any concerns residents may have concerning this or any other suspicious calls. They urge everyone to remain vigilant and to immediately report any such interactions to the Montgomery County Police by calling 301-279-8000.
The post from the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office concludes with a definitive statement: "DO NOT FALL FOR THIS SCAM."
