The Ontario County Sheriff’s Office wants to inform you about a sophisticated scam targeting county residents. Recently, scammers have been using Caller ID spoofing to make it appear as if their calls are coming from the sheriff’s office. Here’s how this scam works:
The caller poses as an employee of the Sheriff’s Office who claims that you have missed Jury Duty or failed to appear in court on a charge, threatening that a warrant will be issued if you don’t pay an exorbitant fine—often over $4,000. The caller uses convincing legal terminology and cites the alleged offense in detail. The sheriff’s office says the scam caller will tell you that, due to your positive relationship with law enforcement, they are offering to “help you out” by resolving the issue immediately, sometimes at a reduced cost. They request payment and specifically mention using a form of payment from Dollar General. The scammer will attempt to trick you into believing their legitimacy by saying that their payment solution is due to all the “scams” that occur every day. They claim they need to stay on the phone while you purchase the cards due to an “open investigation” and insist that there is a “gag order,” advising you not to discuss the matter with anyone. They might even say they are on a recorded line to add credibility.
A reminder that the Sheriff’s Office or any court system will NEVER ask for or demand payment over the phone or use such tactics. If you receive such a call, do not provide any personal information or make any payments. Hang up and contact us directly at 585-394-4560 to verify your questions or concerns.
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