Press release from the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office:
There has been a serious uptick over the past few days of concerned citizens calling the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office reporting they were on the receiving end of a phone scam involving office personnel.
The person on the receiving end of the call is being told a wide array of stories as to why they need to make a payment right now over the phone (in some form or fashion)—the big issue here is that the caller is using a REAL sheriff’s office employee’s name. They are also spoofing the sheriff’s office’s main phone number.
Not only is the HCSO getting phone call complaints regarding this matter from residents in Haywood County, Jackson County, Buncombe County and Transylvania County- the office even received a call from someone living in Maryland who has familial ties to Haywood County!
Unfortunately the only way to get ahead of this issue is awareness and education of the red flags. The key message is that the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office will NEVER ask someone to pay anything- in any form or fashion- over the phone. Scammers only succeed by creating fear and urgency in those who stay on the phone. Hang it up, everyone!
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