Scams Prompt Police Warning Throughout Lake Norman Area

DAVIDSON, NC — Police departments throughout the Lake Norman region are warning residents to stay on guard against potential scams in the area that include demanding payment to avoid a fictitious arrest warrant.

According to the Huntersville Police Department, a resident received an email with fake court documents showing a warrant for the victim’s arrest and a bill for money owed to the court for it to be lifted.

“At first glance, the document appears to be real, but if you look closer there are many mistakes, which we have highlighted,” Huntersville Police Department said in a statement “The courts would also never ask for compensation in the form of a voucher.”

A similar scam was attempted in Cornelius, police there said.

“Just like our neighbors down the road, we have previously taken a similar report from a resident informing that a representative (suspect) from the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) called and said they had a warrant for running a stop sign,” Cornelius Police Department said. “The suspect further stated they would void the warrant if the resident sent them money.”

CPD confirmed with MCSO that the call was a scam.

“A warrant cannot be stricken by sending money,” CPD said. “A warrant is a document issued by a judicial official in which an arrest is mandatory.”

A scam threat circulating in the Davidson area, however, is more personal.

“One scam in particular attempts to bribe a citizen, threatening to share a compromising website unless the citizen pays a large sum of money in bitcoin,” Davidson Police Department said recently. “The email details that if the person seeks police assistance, there is no way to trace the email back to the scammer.”

“Citizens should absolutely not respond to these types of emails,” Davidson Police Chief Penny Dunn said.

Dunn recommends these tips to head off potential scammers:

• Practice good internet safety by making your password complex and change it often.
• Use a firewall for security.
• Be aware of which sites you visit online and what you share with others.

Have you been targeted for a scam?

Photo via Imagentle/ Shutterstock