Beware Phone Scam Impersonating Putnam Deputy: Sheriff

PUTNAM COUNTY, NY — In the last couple of days, several Putnam County residents have reported receiving phone calls from a man impersonating a member of the Sheriff’s Office, according to an undated news release from Sheriff Kevin J. McConville.

The man called stating he was “Sergeant Jason Cooke” from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office at 3 County Center in Carmel.

The caller lied to the residents saying they were facing legal consequences for failing to comply with a prior or current criminal matter and that they were required to post monetary bail or be arrested — and that they had to pay the bail by purchasing a certain amount of money in gift cards and providing the code numbers to the cards.

"This is to inform the public, specifically the residents of Putnam County, that the Sheriff’s Office will never call and ask residents for money or to purchase gift cards to satisfy a legal matter," McConville said.

Plus, there is no one employed at the Sheriff’s Office with that name.

Residents are warned to be cautious about phone scams.

Please notify the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 845-225-4300 if you are contacted.