The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about fraudulent phone calls from scammers claiming to be with the sheriff’s office, according to a social media post from the department.
The calls are coming in under the actual sheriff’s office phone number and claim that the recipient has missed a court date or jury duty, threatening that a warrant will be issued if payment is not sent immediately. The sheriff’s office says these calls are completely fraudulent.
Scammers are relying on emotions and a sense of urgency to pressure people into sending money before they have a chance to verify the situation. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office and the Van Buren County Courthouse will never call and demand payment, wire transfers, or any other form of payment over the phone.
If you receive one of these calls, stay calm and do not send money, do not provide any personal or financial information, and hang up immediately. A quick call to the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office at 319-293-3426 can verify whether any such situation is legitimate.
The sheriff’s office is asking residents to share this warning and to make sure elderly family members and friends are aware of the scam.
