The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a scam that’s currently circulating.
The Sheriff’s Office has received numerous reports about a scam targeting Jefferson County residents when a person posing as a member of the Sheriff’s Office calls a victim and claims the department has an active warrant for the victim’s arrest, Sheriff’s Office spokesman Grant Bissell said.
He said the victim is told he or she must immediately pay fees or be arrested.
Bissell said the scammer tells the victim to go to the nearest Walmart Money Center and then texts or emails the victim a barcode to show at the Money Center. When scanned, the money goes directly into the scammer's account.
“Remember: Police agencies will NEVER call you to say you have warrants and you'll never be asked to pay for an outstanding warrant through payment centers, with gift cards, or by wire transfer,” he said in a written statement. “Additionally, a citizen who receives this kind of call should always call back to the agency the caller supposedly works for to verify.”