Released by the Greenwood County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff’s Office warning residents about phone scammers impersonating law enforcement.
The Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents after reports of a fraudulent telephone scam.
During the month December the Sheriff’s Office began receiving reports from multiple Greenwood County residents in reference to the scam which appears to be specifically targeting registered sex offenders claiming to be with law enforcement.
The callers are advising the victims have failed to register a DNA sample and now have a warrant for their arrest.
The scammer provides official sounding titles, badge number and contact numbers that sound similar to that of area law enforcement.
The scam progresses into telling the victim that they will need to purchase cash cards (gift cards) for a specific amount and provide the card number for their bond amount or to pre-pay for a DNA test.
The scammers have then instructed the victim, in some instances, to report to their local law enforcement agency to turn themselves in on their outstanding warrant.
Each year, there are similar types of scams that are conducted by fraudulent means, which usually originate overseas.
The Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office nor any other law enforcement agency will solicit any type of payment to avoid enforcement action or arrest of an individual.
The Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to be cautious when receiving any type of call requesting payment, for any transaction, be made in the form of gift cards or wire transfers.
