Scam Alert: Jefferson County Sheriff

Scam Alert: Scammers Posing as Franklin County Deputy Sheriff

Sheriff’s office will never call residents, ask for payment in gift cards

FRANKFORT, KY. (Oct. 27, 2017) – Today, Attorney General Andy Beshear is joining with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office in issuing a scam alert to warn residents about scammers posing as a sheriff's deputy who is requesting payment through gift cards.

The scam is known as the Jury Duty Phone Scam.

"If you get this type of call hang up," Beshear said. "Law enforcement officers and other federal and state authorities will not call to arrange immediate payment of fines over the phone for missing jury duty."

Franklin County Sheriff Pat Melton said his office has already received around 15 calls from residents asking questions about the phone calls.

"After we heard from several frantic residents, we realized quickly this was a scam," Melton said. "One resident spent $4,000 in gift cards based on the scammer's threats. My office is reaching out to all the local retailers to warn them about this scam in hopes we can prevent others from falling victim."

Melton asks residents to monitor updates on scams through his office's social media channels.

Beshear said several counties have reported similar scams where con artists pose as law enforcement officials. Earlier this month, Beshear issued a scam alert where scammers are posing as staff from the Office of the Attorney General.

Beshear provided these tips to help defend Kentuckians who receive these calls from those posing as law enforcement for financial gain.

• Never trust the information provided by the caller.
  The caller may pretend to have information like badge numbers, names of actual law enforcement officials, courthouse addresses and phone numbers. Never trust the caller and always verify information independently.
• Never pay over the phone using gift cards or reloadable credit cards.    
  Scammers typically use gift cards and reloadable cards as their preferred method of payment because they are almost impossible to track and recover.
• Never provide your personal or financial information to unknown callers.
  Even if the caller seems legitimate, never provide your information to an unknown person or company.

One of Beshear's top priorities is to protect Kentucky consumers, especially senior citizens from scams, abuse and exploitation. His office recently caught and convicted a Florida man posing as a Jefferson County Sheriff's Deputy who was ordered to pay thousands of dollars to the two victims.

To report a scam contact the Attorney General's Office at 888-432-9257 and file a complaint online.

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