Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader is warning area residents as reports increase of scams involving fake jail bond payments and ankle monitor fees across Chattooga County and surrounding areas.
A recent incident report in Summerville is serving as a reminder of how convincing “product tester” scams can look—and how quickly they can turn into a financial loss if someone deposits a counterfeit check.
Federal authorities are warning the public about a scam involving fraudsters impersonating federal law enforcement and prosecutors. According to the Department of Justice, scammers—possibly operating from outside the United States—are contacting Americans by text message, email, or phone call, falsely claiming the victim is a suspect in a fraud investigation in an attempt to pressure them into handing over money or sensitive information.
Officials say the scam often involves multiple contacts before the criminals begin requesting personal details such as credit card numbers, banking information, or other identifying data. FBI Atlanta Acting Special Agent in Charge Peter Ellis said scammers rely on fear and intimidation, and warned that the FBI will pursue those involved.
The DOJ says these scammers may use convincing details—such as real-sounding titles, badge numbers, names, and addresses—and can even spoof phone numbers to make it appear calls are coming from legitimate government agencies. Authorities stress that federal agencies do not call and demand money or personal information over the phone, and anyone receiving these messages should not provide information and should report suspected scams.
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.
Debit card scams continue to target consumers across Northwest Georgia, often leaving victims with money missing from their checking accounts and limited time to stop further charges. Scammers commonly use tactics like card skimmers at gas pumps and ATMs, “phishing” texts or emails pretending to be your bank, and fake online purchases designed to capture card numbers and PINs.
The Summerville Police Department is warning residents about a scam targeting families with urgent claims that a loved one is in jail and needs immediate bond money.
As the holiday season ramps up, cybersecurity experts are warning shoppers in Northwest Georgia and across the country to be cautious when using QR codes. While the codes have become a convenient part of everyday life—used for menus, payments, package tracking, and event check-ins—they are also becoming a growing target for scammers.