The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office is warning local businesses about a scam in which callers falsely claim to be sheriff’s office employees conducting counterfeit money audits.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the scam begins with a phone call to a business. The caller claims the business has been randomly selected for an audit because of an increase in counterfeit currency circulating in the area.
After asking a series of questions, the scammer tells the employee that someone from the Sheriff’s Office will come to the business to inspect its cash. The caller then instructs the employee to meet behind the business with the money so it can be examined.
The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that its deputies would never call a business and request that cash be brought outside for inspection.
Officials advise anyone who receives one of these calls to avoid sharing any information about the amount of cash on hand. If the caller claims someone is on the way to the business, employees should write down the phone number, hang up immediately, and call 911.
The Sheriff’s Office is reminding business owners and employees to remain vigilant and report any suspicious calls to law enforcement immediately.
