The Lorain County Sheriff's Office is sounding the alarm on an uptick in scam calls where con artists pose as law enforcement officials to deceit unsuspecting residents. In a social media post, they detailed how these scammers inform victims of missed jury duties, outstanding warrants, or skipped court appearances. These calls involve high-pressure tactics to extort money, falsely claiming it will prevent arrest.
Perpetrators of the scam are reported to use a variety of scare tactics. According to the Lorain County Sheriff's Office, they could instruct victims to stay on the line and threaten further charges if the call is disconnected. The scammers also pressure victims to make payments through unconventional and untraceable methods. It's emphasized that legitimate law enforcement officers would not conduct official business in such manner, especially demanding payments over the phone.
In the fight against this fraudulent activity, the Lorain County Sheriff's Office has issued critical advice for residents. They affirm, "Law enforcement does not handle jury matters or warrants this way and will never demand payment over the phone." The recommended course of action, if you are targeted by these scammers, is to hang up immediately, refrain from providing any personal or financial information, and certainly do not send any form of payment. Instead, residents should contact the Lorain County Sheriff's Office directly at 440-329-3709 or their local agency and report the scam.
