'Be On High Alert': Scammers Are Now Posing as Sheriff's Deputies - Don't Fall Victim!

The Erie County Sheriff's Office has issued a warning to the public to exercise extreme caution when receiving phone calls, as a new wave of scammers has been making the rounds, pretending to be deputies and asking for money.

According to reports, these scammers are using various tactics to deceive unsuspecting individuals into parting with their hard-earned cash. They may claim to be calling from the Sheriff's Office, often using fake names and badge numbers to appear legitimate. In some cases, they may even claim that there is an outstanding warrant for the victim's arrest and that they can resolve the issue by paying a certain amount of money.

The Erie County Sheriff's Office is urging residents to be vigilant and not to fall for these scams. 'We never ask for money over the phone,' said a spokesperson for the Sheriff's Office. 'If someone is calling you claiming to be a deputy and asking for payment, it is a scam. Hang up immediately and do not engage with them any further.'

The Sheriff's Office is also warning residents to be cautious of caller ID spoofing, where scammers can manipulate the phone number displayed on caller ID to make it appear as though the call is coming from a legitimate law enforcement agency.

If you receive a suspicious phone call, do not provide any personal or financial information. Instead, hang up and contact the Erie County Sheriff's Office directly to report the incident. 'We take these types of scams very seriously,' said the spokesperson. 'We will do everything in our power to track down these scammers and bring them to justice.'

The Erie County Sheriff's Office is offering the following tips to help residents avoid falling victim to these scams:

• Never provide personal or financial information over the phone to someone claiming to be a law enforcement officer.
• Be cautious of caller ID spoofing. Even if the number on the caller ID appears to be legitimate, it may still be a scam.
• If you receive a suspicious phone call, hang up and contact the Erie County Sheriff's Office directly to report the incident.
• Do not send money or provide financial information to someone claiming to be a law enforcement officer.