The York County Sheriff’s Office is seeing a phone scam in which the impostor claims to be a Deputy with the YCSO, telling the victim they have a warrant for failing to register on the sex offender registry.
The scammer asks the potential victim for a Google Play Card or some other pre-paid money card to resolve the warrant.
“THIS IS A SCAM! Don’t fall for it,” the sheriff’s office says in a press release.
In some cases, the impostor “deputy” claims to be tracking the victim, and demands to stay on the phone with the victim while they go to a local store to get the prepaid cards. Scammers attempt high-pressure tactics and use forceful language to get potential victims to believe the scam.
If you receive a call like this one, the York County Sheriff’s Office advises you to hang up and call them to report the incident. Call 803-628-3059.
If the impostor continues to call, continue to hang up the phone. Once you give the person on the other end of the phone your personal information or the number on the pre-paid money card it’s already too late. The money is gone and your personal information can be used to steal your identity.
The state sex offender registry is on line at this link SLED Sex Offender Registry.