EPD warns of phone scam

According to EPD Public Information Officer Lt. Billy Haglund, the potential victim may receive a phone call from a subject purporting to be an officer/deputy from a law enforcement agency.

He said the caller will inform the potential victim that arrest warrants have been issued for failure to appear for jury duty. The caller will then give instructions on how to obtain a green dot card (similar to a money order) for a certain dollar amount from Rite Aid to use as a surety bond.

Haglund said the caller may inform the potential victim that their phone is being tracked and insist that you remain on the line to ensure that the green dot card is being purchased.

According to Haglund, the scammers have voicemail systems set up as a law enforcement agency for any returned calls.

He said the EPD received information that the scam callers have claimed to be representatives of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office during this investigation. These scams are very elaborate, including numerous details about law enforcement procedures and names of law enforcement officers and court officers, he said.

Haglund said the EPD and the CCSO would like to encourage all citizens to contact their local law enforcement agency if they receive this type of call.