The Cuyahoga County community is on high alert as the Scam Squad and Sheriff’s Department have issued a warning regarding the latest scamming technique targeting residents. The fraud involves criminals masquerading as deputies, who then place calls to family members of individuals recently admitted to the Corrections Center. These impostors exploit relatives' concern by demanding money for ankle monitors, under the guise of securing their loved ones' release from custody.
Residents are being reminded that legitimate deputies will NEVER solicit payments over the phone for any reason. This scam is one of several plaguing the county, aside from another persistent scheme involving fake jury duties. In this separate con, phony deputies send out contrived summons via email, employing fear to extract a "bond" or other fee from unsuspecting victims.
To safeguard oneself and others from these deceptive acts, the public is urged to be vigilant. Critical advice shared includes ignoring messages from unverified sources claiming to be law enforcement and bearing in mind that true officers of the law will never call to request money, fees, or fines. Also, those wishing to confirm the status of someone at the Cuyahoga County Corrections Center are encouraged to directly contact the Sheriff’s Department or utilize the provided Sheriff’s App available for both Android and iPhone users.
The county has outlined steps for the community on how to handle suspicious calls and where to report these scams. For any inquiries or reports of fraudulent activity, residents can reach out to the Cuyahoga County Scam Squad. Further, education and resources on scams are available on the Cuyahoga County website, where the latest updates and preventive tips can be found. More comprehensive information about these fraudulent schemes, as detailed by the authorities, is available at Cuyahoga County, OH.
