JoCo Sheriff: Be Alert For This Sleazy Scam

The Johnson County Sheriff's Office put out a media release earlier today warning about a scam attempt reported by a Johnson County resident. Here's what you need to know to avoid becoming a victim.

The reporting party received a call from someone impersonating Johnson County Sheriff's Office Captain Mike Hanes. The scammer requested $5000 to pay off a citation for missing federal jury duty. During the call, the imposter falsely claimed that the federal courthouse was located on Holden Street in Warrensburg, a location that doesn't exist. They then instructed the resident to remain on the phone, withdraw the money, and take it to the Johnson County Sheriff's Office.

The JoCo Sheriff's Office urges residents to remain cautious and verify the identity of any individual requesting money over the phone. They say no law enforcement agency anywhere will make that type of request.

The Federal Trade Commission says scammers have figured out countless ways to cheat you out of your money over the phone, and they're good at it. Here are some tips to keep yourself from phone scams:

• Some scammers will say you were selected for an "offer" or won a lottery. If you have to pay to get the prize, it's not a prize.
• Some scammers will pretend to be law enforcement or a federal agency. They may threaten you with fines, arrest, or deportation if you don't pay taxes or some other debt immediately. Their goal is to scare you. Real law enforcement and federal agencies won't call and threaten you.
• Honest businesses will give you time to consider their offer and learn more about what they're selling. Don't get pressured into deciding on the spot.
• Scammers often insist you pay in a way that makes it hard to get your money back. They'll ask for wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or a payment app. That's a big clue someone's running a scam.
• Government agencies, including the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service, will not call you out of the blue and ask for sensitive information like your social security number or banking information.

For more advice on avoiding becoming a scam victim, read more about this from the Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advocate here.