Public warned of scammers claiming to be with sheriff’s office

RABUN COUNTY Captain Richard Hunter and Chief Deputy Mark Jones of the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office said there has been a handful of “scam” incidents circulating in Rabun County.

Law enforcement said as of Friday three known incidents have been reported in which a scammer calls an individual claiming to be from the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office and informs them of a bench warrant that has been issued for the victim’s arrest.

“The complainants showed up at the sheriff’s office, told us what was going on and gave us the phone number,” Hunter said. “We called the number but they didn’t answer the phone.”

“When you call this number back, it will actually say Rabun County Sheriff’s Office if nobody answers,” Jones added. “There is a recording that says that but it’s not us.”

Hunter explained that on most occasions the scammer will tell the victim they need two $500 gift cards from Walgreens.

“They will tell you that they will meet you there but then 10 minutes before they are supposed to meet you, they will call and say they have had an emergency come up and tell you to send it to so-and-so. They’re never going to meet you,” Hunter said.

Law enforcement explained that the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office, for the most part, will not call and inform someone that there is an active warrant for their arrest. Furthermore, the sheriff’s office would never request money over the phone to settle any warrant that an individual may have.

Jones said he would like to remind the public to never give out any information over the phone to people that you are wary of such as date of births, social security numbers or credit card information.

“We’re just trying to make the public aware of what’s going on and also to remind people to never give any personal information out on the phone unless you are 100 percent of who you are speaking with because there is so much of this that goes on,” Jones said.

As of Friday morning, the phone number which was reported to be the scammer, (706) 756-5623, has been disconnected. However, the sheriff’s office still would like to encourage people to report any further incidents regarding this particular scam to (706) 782-3612.