THE FOLLOWING IS A NEWS-GAZETTE STORY BY DAVE HINTON
THE ABOVE IS A FILE PHOTO
DANVILLE — Phone scammers have been contacting area residents and falsely claiming to be with the Vermilion County Sheriff’s Department.
Sheriff Pat Hartshorn said his department has received several calls about phone scammers claiming to be with the department.
“The scammers are making their calls appear to come from a legitimate sheriff’s department phone number and are using the names of real deputies and local judges,” Hartshorn said. “The scammer tells the person that they have missed court and owe money to avoid being arrested.”
Hartshorn said the victim is then told to provide their personal information, buy bitcoin for the amount requested and send the scammer a copy of the bitcoin receipt.
He said law enforcement will never contact citizens by phone to tell them about an arrest warrant or fines owed.
“Illinois is a no-cash-bail state, so even if there was a legitimate warrant for someone, they would not be able to post money for bond,” Hartshorn said.
Anyone who receives this type of phone call, he said, should hang up immediately, do not answer any of the scammer’s questions or provide any personal information.
“Call 911 to speak to an officer or deputy to file a police report,” he said.
