NEWPORT — Authorities are warning the public about scam artists pretending to be local police.
Callers claiming to work for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office are telling residents they have warrants out for their arrest in the hopes of scamming them.
The scammer then tells the victim that they need to resolve this quickly.
The sense of urgency created by the perpetrators adds to the dangers of this scam, attempting to get the victim to either drive to a bank or provide a credit card number to clear up fines and avoid being arrested.
“A Deputy will not call and ask you for money and will not advise you have an arrest warrant on the phone,” the department said in a statement.
The calls may appear on your caller ID as a Vermont phone number or even the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department number.
If you receive this call do not give any information and hang up on them.
If you have provided sensitive personal information to this or any scam, contact the Attorney General’s Scam Line at 800-649-2424.
