BELL COUNTY, Texas — The Bell County Sheriff's Department is warning residents after receiving multiple reports of scam telephone calls to community members.
According to the department, victims have received phone calls from a person claiming to be a member of the department, who tells the victim they failed to appear for jury duty or some other court proceeding, and a warrant has been issued for them.
The caller then reportedly tells the victim they can avoid arrest by paying a fine via Cash App, Venmo or some type of electronic or prepaid card.
The Sheriff's Department said the suspect or suspects have been using actual names of members of the agency, which are available through public records, and have been using applications that allow them to disguise their telephone number to appear like it is a county office number.
The Bell County Sheriff's Department stated they never collect fees or fines through this method, saying no member of the department will ever collect a fine, court cost, judgment amount or warrant fee by telephone, or request payment through electronic transfer or prepaid credit cards.
Those with outstanding warrants, fines, court costs or other fees are contacted in person by a uniformed officer of the Sheriff's Department, said the department, who will provide legal documentation and instructions on where payment may be taken for remittance.
If a resident questions the legitimacy of a call from someone who claims to be a member of a law enforcement agency, the Sheriff's Department encourages them to hang up, contact the non-emergency number for the department and request to speak with the officer or deputy directly.
The Sheriff's Department said residents should never, under any circumstances, provide any bank or personal identifying information or send any type of payment.
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