Scammers Target Lake County Residents Pretending To Be With Police

LAKE COUNTY, IL — The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and 19th Judicial Circuit have become aware of a scam targeting Lake County residents.

This scam, according to a news release, involves con artists calling Lake County residents and introducing themselves as a member of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The scammers utilize an actual name of a Sheriff’s Office employee. The scammer then informs the victim that they missed a jury summons and an arrest warrant, a citation, or citations, have been issued to the victim. The scammer then attempts to instruct the victim how to purchase a “voucher” in order to avoid arrest.

Police said neither the Sheriff’s Office nor the 19th Judicial Circuit will ever call a resident to request money. Lake County Government will not ask for or accept payment in the form of gift cards, ‘Green Dot’ cards, Venmo, or cryptocurrency.

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"Most of the time the scammers are operating out of other states or countries," LCSO said in the news release. "The best course of action is to hang up and, if utilizing a cellphone, block the caller’s telephone number from being able to contact you again. You may also file a report with your local law-enforcement agency."

Police said if residents are ever doubtful of a government official contacting them by phone, they may always hang up and call back utilizing the known telephone number for the government office which contacted them.

Police said if residents did not initiate the telephone conversation:

1. Do not provide any personal information;
2. Do not tell anyone when you leave your residence;
3. Document the number calling along with any information about the call;
4. Report the incident to your local law enforcement agency as soon as possible.