EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPCSO) is warning area residents about ongoing phone scams in which suspects pose as members of law enforcement to convince victims into giving them money, EPCSO announced in a press release.
The warning comes after a distraught woman sought assistance in the lobby of a County facility expressing concern about warrant on Sunday, May 12.
The woman shared an “unsettling” phone call she received from a person claiming to work for the “El Paso County Sheriff’s Department” and demanding a $10,000 payment to avoid a warrant, according to EPCSO.
The phone call was determined by law enforcement to be a scam.
“Scams have variations but generally the caller will identify themself as a law enforcement officer and tell the victim, falsely, that a warrant has been issued because they missed a court date, did not show up for jury duty, have an overdue fine or something similar, and they will be arrested unless they pay right away,” read the press release.
EPCSO said callers often use the names of actual deputies or police offices. They may also disguise their phone number to make it look like they are calling from a local law enforcement agency.
The practice of disguising the caller ID is known as “spoofing,” according to EPCSO.
EPCSO said callers intimidate victims by demanding payment and threatening them with arrest if they do not cooperate.
Callers may demand that fines or fees be paid with money, credit cards, gift cards, payment apps or even cryptocurrency. EPCSO said no legitimate law enforcement agency in the area will ever call someone and demand money.
“The best way for someone to protect themselves from these scams is simply to hang up,” says Commander Jerome Washington, patrol commander of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. “Don’t let your guard down and don’t be intimidated into providing personal details or financial information. Real deputies are not going to call you and threaten you with arrest, so just hang up.”
Anyone who feels they have been a victim of a scam should contact the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number at (915) 832-4408.
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