HAMPTON, Va. — There has been a rise in phone scams targeting citizens whereby impersonators falsely identify themselves as deputies, the Hampton Sheriff's Office said.
The caller falsely identifies himself or herself as a deputy of the Hampton Sheriff’s Office and has some personal information about the victim, such as an old or current address or date of birth, making the victim believe the call is real.
The scammer then insists that there are warrants out for their victims' arrest because of a missed court date or missed jury duty and payment is necessary to avoid arrest.
The callers request a specific payment method, such as PayPal or a
Green Dot money card and insist that you stay on the phone as you make the payment.
They have even made pleas to meet victims at the Sheriff’s Office location at 1928 W. Pembroke Avenue to finalize the transaction
and satisfy the arrest warrant. The call is a scam!
The collection of payments/fines will never be requested over the phone by the Hampton Sherrif's Office.
If you get this call, don't give out any information and never meet any caller anywhere asking to collect money to avoid an arrest warrant.
For further questions or to report a scam related to the Hampton Sheriff's Office, call the Hampton Sheriff's Office at 757-728-2010 or 757-926-2540.
