Area residents are being warned about phone scammers impersonating local law enforcement officers in apparent attempts to trick people into sending them money or gift cards.
Over the last month or so, multiple people have reportedly received phone calls from individuals claiming to work for the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department. Making the claims more believable, the callers have been using “call spoofing,” so it appears they are calling from a sheriff’s department phone number. The phony callers have even been using real names of sheriff’s department personnel, according to some who have received the trick calls.
The scam plays out with the caller first spoofing a phone number associated with the sheriff’s department. Once the recipient answers, they are informed by the caller that they have missed a court date or court summons and need to pay the caller money through gift cards; otherwise, an arrest warrant will be issued.
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The scammers are hoping that by spoofing the number and using real officer names, the person on the other end of the call will fall for the scheme and be willing to hand over money to avoid being arrested.
St. Francois County Sheriff Dan Bullock…
