BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — The Benton County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) is warning residents of a "large-scale" scam going around.
BCSO says residents have been getting "scammed out of thousands of dollars."
Here is a list provided by BCSO of ways to recognize a scam.
Law enforcement will NOT:
- Ask you to stay on the phone with them while you go to the bank and withdraw money or purchase gift cards.
- Ask you to put money on a green dot card or any other type of gift card.
- Ask you to NOT hang up and NOT contact your local enforcement directly.
- Ask you to lie to your bank, family or friends in order to obtain payment.
- Ask you to sign a summons to appear in court.
- Require you to pay money to avoid arrest before going into an official place of business such as a courthouse, police department or sheriff's office.
Common lies used by scammers:
- You missed jury duty and they tell you you can avoid going to jail by giving them a large amount of money.
- You failed to appear in court and they tell you you can avoid going to jail by giving them a large amount of money.
- You signed a summons to appear in court and you didn't show up.
- Scammers will identify themselves as a local law enforcement officer.
- Scammers will sometimes ask people to meet them in public spaces or parking lots such as:
- courthouse buildings
- sheriff's office
- police departments
- Walmart
- Scammers will demand you pay them cash or gift cards prior to entering any of these facilities.
The BCSO reminds the public that law enforcement officers do required to meet with an undercover officer or bondsman and any business will be held inside law enforcement offices. If you come across a suspicious call, BCSO asks you to hang up and contact law enforcement.
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