DOTHAN, Ala. – The Henry County Sheriff’s Department is warning residents of a recent scam that has been circulating in the area, which nearly tricked two individuals into falling victim. Sheriff Eric Blankenship issued a warning Wednesday, describing the scam as one of the most sophisticated his department has seen in recent months.
According to Sheriff Blankenship, the scammers are using technology to manipulate caller IDs, making it appear as though the call is coming from the sheriff’s office. The callers identify themselves as deputies or even as the sheriff himself, adding to the legitimacy of the scam.
The callers claim that the recipient missed a court appearance, and as a result, a warrant has been issued for their arrest. In order to avoid being arrested, the scammers demand sensitive personal information, such as Social Security numbers, or request payments, which vary in amounts. These payments are often asked to be made through unconventional means, including gift cards or even Bitcoin.
Sheriff Blankenship emphasized a key warning sign to help residents identify the scam: “If they ever ask you to go to a store to purchase a money card, or to use Bitcoin, it’s not legitimate,” Blankenship said. “That’s one of the quickest ways to spot the scam.”
This isn’t the first time such a scam has affected the Wiregrass area. Last year, a woman in Houston County lost over $8,500 after falling victim to the same scheme. Sheriff Blankenship reiterated to Henry County residents that they should never send money or provide private information over the phone in these situations.
“We’re not going to call you and ask for your information over the phone,” Blankenship reassured. “If you have a warrant, I promise you, either I or one of my deputies will come visit you in person. We care enough to handle it face-to-face.”
For those who may fear they are being targeted by this scam, the sheriff advises that they immediately hang up and contact the sheriff’s office directly at its official phone number. Blankenship noted that while the scammers are capable of disguising their phone number to look like it’s from the sheriff’s department, residents should always call the office directly to verify any claims.
Sheriff Blankenship’s office continues to monitor the situation and urges all residents to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
