RICHLAND COUNTY, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW) – The Richland County Sheriff’s Office said residents have reported receiving calls from individuals falsely claiming to be sheriff’s deputies. The callers tell victims they have an active warrant and then pressure them to pay a fee to avoid arrest or have the warrant dismissed.
The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that legitimate law enforcement officials will never call someone directly to request payment for fines or warrants.
Officials say scams of this type are becoming increasingly frequent and sophisticated, making it important for residents to be cautious when receiving unexpected calls involving threats of arrest or demands for money.
Anyone who receives a suspicious call should not provide personal, financial or payment information. Instead, residents should hang up and independently contact the Richland County Sheriff’s Office at 419-774-5881 to verify whether the call was legitimate.
Residents who believe they may have fallen victim to the scam are encouraged to contact their local law enforcement agency immediately.
The Sheriff’s Office is also asking residents to share the warning with friends, family members and neighbors—particularly older adults, who may be more vulnerable to these types of scams.