Scammers posing as law enforcement are lighting up phones in Burke County, pretending residents skipped federal court or jury duty and then demanding fast cash to make the “problem” disappear, deputies warned Monday. The callers push people to pay on the spot using gift cards, prepaid cards or electronic payment apps, and deputies say older residents are getting targeted most often, prompting a plea for neighbors to keep an eye out for vulnerable relatives and friends.
In a recent Facebook alert, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office said two active scam variations are circulating locally and urged residents to report any suspicious calls so investigators can track patterns. The post stressed that all legitimate inmate-related transactions happen in person or through secure, official channels and stated that the office will never call to request money, gift cards, prepaid cards or electronic transfers to secure an inmate’s release. Residents were urged to verify any claim by calling the sheriff’s non-emergency line at 828-438-5500; see the Burke County Sheriff's Office.
How the scam works
Deputies say the script is pretty polished. A caller claims you missed a jury summons or a federal hearing, then ramps up the pressure by warning that deputies are on the way unless you pay a “fine” immediately. Victims are often directed to buy gift cards or move money using cryptocurrency, both of which are hard to trace or reverse.
According to the FTC, government-impostor scams typically insist on payment through channels that are difficult to track, while using high-pressure tactics to keep people from double-checking the story. Consumer advocates at AARP report that callers sometimes spoof official phone numbers and even use the names of real employees to make the pitch sound more convincing.
Steps to protect yourself
Authorities say the safest move is to end the call immediately if anyone threatens arrest or demands instant payment, and to refuse to share bank or card details over the phone. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service advises reporting suspicious calls to the Internet Crime Complaint Center and directly to the inspection service, noting that formal complaints help investigators spot trends and disrupt fraud operations.
If you already sent money, officials recommend contacting your bank or the payment platform’s support team right away to see if a transfer can be stopped or reversed.
Local verification and resources
The sheriff’s office is urging residents who receive a call like this to hang up, then independently dial 828-438-5500 to confirm whether the contact was legitimate, instead of trusting any number provided by the caller. Deputies are also asking the community to share these warnings with older relatives, neighbors and friends, who are often singled out by scammers.
For those who prefer to check in person, the sheriff’s main office is listed at 150 Government Dr in Morganton, with additional contact information available in the county directory.
If you were targeted or lost money, officials say you should file a report at reportfraud.ftc.gov and with the FBI’s IC3, and also alert local law enforcement so deputies can investigate.
