The Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office is warning local residents about a phone scam making the rounds in the area that involves callers impersonating law enforcement or court officials and using intimidation to demand immediate payment.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, scammers may claim you missed jury duty, have an active arrest warrant, or owe money tied to probation or ankle monitor/monitoring fees—then threaten arrest if you don’t pay right away. Victims are often pressured to send money through gift cards, payment apps, wire transfers, or even cryptocurrency.

The Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that real deputies will never call demanding money over the phone for warrants, missed jury duty, or ankle monitoring. In some cases, scammers may spoof phone numbers to look official, use real names, or direct people to fake government-style websites to steal personal information.

Common Tactics Being Reported

• Impersonation: Pretending to be deputies, police, or court officials (sometimes spoofing caller ID).

• Threats: Claims of warrants, missed jury duty, probation violations, or ankle monitor issues.

• Urgent payment demands: Gift cards (Green Dot, etc.), Zelle, Cash App, wire transfers, crypto.

• Fake websites: Links that look “official” to capture personal or payment details.

How the Sheriff’s Office Says to Protect Yourself

• Hang up immediately if the caller demands money or personal/financial information.

• Do not pay by phone—courts and law enforcement do not handle fines or fees this way.

• Verify independently: Look up the official number for the agency yourself and call directly.

• Never share personal info like your Social Security number or banking details with unsolicited callers.

If You’ve Been Targeted

• Do not pay or provide information.

• Report the attempt to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the FBI at IC3.gov.

• Notify local authorities so others can be warned.