PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. — There is a scam as old as time on the rise in Prince George's County.
Police are issuing a warning after several distressed residents claim to have been contacted by a person who said they were with law enforcement before asking for money to clear up outstanding warrants on their behalf.
This time, investigators say the trickster used the names of real deputies in the agency, making their scheme that much more believable. The person specifically is said to have impersonated a sheriff's deputy or the sheriff himself.
Detectives say the scam works like this; residents are told they either have an outstanding federal warrant or jury duty bench warrant out in their name and need to pay now to have the matter resolved. The scammers then request anywhere between $3,500 to $5,000 to be paid by Cash App or by a gift card.
Police remind residents the sheriff's office will never call on the phone nor request any payment over the phone.
Anyone who does receive a phone call from someone claiming to be a Prince George’s County Sheriff Deputy or the Sheriff is encouraged to hang up the phone and not give out any personal information.
This isn't the first time we've seen this type of scam in the area. Just last month, police issued a very similar warning.
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