Callers use real officer names pulled from court records, demand gift cards or Bitcoin
NORTHFIELD CENTER TOWNSHIP — The Summit County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about an ongoing phone scam in which callers impersonate sheriff’s deputies by name to demand money.
According to the sheriff’s representative, scammers are contacting residents by phone, text, and email, claiming there is a warrant out for the resident’s arrest or that they missed jury duty. The callers are pulling deputies’ actual names from public court records to make the contact seem legitimate.
Scammers are demanding payment in the form of Bitcoin, gift cards, or bank account information. The sheriff’s office said it never asks for money over the phone and does not collect any form of payment by phone under any circumstances.
Residents were urged not to provide personal or financial information to anyone making an unsolicited contact claiming to be a law enforcement officer. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and contact the Summit County Sheriff’s Office directly to verify.
