HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday is warning residents to be on guard against a government imposter scam in which callers posing as sheriff’s deputies use spoofed phone numbers to threaten arrest unless money is paid.
The scheme involves fraudsters making calls that appear to come from a legitimate sheriff’s office. Targets are told they face arrest over unpaid tickets or other legal matters unless they immediately send money through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency ATMs.
“Scammers will do anything to take advantage of hardworking Pennsylvanians, including scaring their targets into making payments,” Sunday said. “A sheriff or sheriff deputy will not call you offering a ‘second chance’ from being arrested.”
Bucks County Sheriff Fred Harran, who alerted the Attorney General’s office to the scam, said the tactic is particularly troubling. “These criminals use fear to short-circuit your good judgment. Don’t let them. The single most powerful tool you have is the ‘end call’ button,” Harran said.
Officials urge residents to verify any suspicious call by asking for a badge number, agency name, and callback number. If the caller refuses, it is a scam. Law enforcement agencies do not request payments through gift cards or cryptocurrency.
Anyone who has already sent money to such a caller should contact their bank and the money transfer service immediately to try to stop the payment. Victims are also encouraged to file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection at www.attorneygeneral.gov or by calling 800-441-2555.
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