Cherokee Sheriff's Office Warns Against Online Scams

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. — A legitimate government agency will never ask someone to purchase gift cards to avoid arrest. That is the message the Cherokee Sheriff's Office wants to impress upon the public after citizens were victims of identity theft and scams.

"Recently, an elderly woman received a call and was told her identity had been stolen and used by a criminal and that she had warrants for her arrest," Director of Communications Jay Baker said. "The caller asked her to purchase about $15,000 worth of Target gift cards and provided the numbers to the suspect. Once the suspect had the numbers from the back of the gift card, he/she had access to the funds, and they were quickly depleted."

This is just one example of the many reports the Cherokee Sheriff's Office continues to receive from victims, Baker said. In most scenarios, the victim receives a phone call from someone saying they are in trouble, a loved one is in trouble or that the victim has a warrant out for his/her arrest.

"The suspect asks the victim to purchase gift cards and deliver them to the Sheriff's Office or one of its precincts, making the request seem legitimate," Baker said. "However, the time between purchasing the gift cards and delivering them to the law enforcement agency, the suspect will ask for the numbers on the back of the cards. Once they have that, the money is gone."

There are other scenarios and variations to the gift card scam, he said.

"The bottom line is if anyone that you don't know recommends you purchase a gift card for payment you are likely being scammed," Baker said. "Due to the frequency of these reports, the Cherokee Sheriff's Office is distributing warning signs to businesses in Cherokee County that sell gift cards. The signs - which should be placed near gift card displays at retailers and customer service desks - alert people to the scam and ask them to hang up and then call law enforcement should they ever receive such a call."

Any business that hasn't received a sign and wants to request one, should call 770-928-0239.