Scam Alert: Caller Impersonates Sheriff's Office

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Several Prince George’s County residents have reported falling prey to a phone scam that tells them to buy prepaid money cards to avoid a fine or arrest.

The impersonator is calling residents claiming to represent the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities say the scammer gives victims a fake phone number that appears to be from the sheriff’s office and urges victims to pay a fine in order to avoid arrest or legal action against them. The victims are told to go to a local convenience store to purchase a prepaid card in a specified amount.

Neither the sheriff’s office nor any other law enforcement agency makes phone calls for the Internal Revenue Service or on behalf of the courts regarding jury duty.

“On behalf of the Office of the Sheriff, we urge citizens who get these calls to not give the caller personal information or give them any money,” said Sharon Taylor, director of communications for the office.

Instead, residents should call the Prince George’s County Police Criminal Investigations Division Financial Crimes unit at 301-772-4907 to file an incident report.

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