A scam is making its rounds locally and Hardin County Sheriff John Ward is warning residents to not fall victim.
The scam has a caller posing as a Hardin County Sheriff’s Deputy and telling them they must pay a fine for missing jury duty, asking for the money to brought to a national retailer and sent to them.
The scammers will give the name of an actual sheriff’s deputy and ask the caller to call them back at a provided number, Ward said, adding it is not the sheriff’s office number.
When the caller contacts the number, Ward said the actual voice greeting from the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office is played, and when the caller presses zero, the scammer will pose as the sheriff’s deputy.
“We’ve had several people get hit on that,” Ward said. “It seems real, but it’s a scam.”
According to Ward, if the Sheriff’s office needs to contact any resident about an important matter, they will do so in person or send a letter.
“We’re not going to collect money over the phone and we’re not going to have them go somewhere to pay money,” he said. “If we need you, we’re going to come see you or send you a letter.”
According to Better Business Bureau, residents can spot scams such as this by being skeptical of unsolicited calls, calling the appropriate judicial agency, ignoring calls for immediate action, being wary of requests to pay over wire transfer or a prepaid debit card, or asking someone for help.
All residents of Hardin County, according to the Sheriff’s Office, should be cautious about any calls from the number 270-600-6559.
If anyone has questions then they can call the real number for the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office which is 270-765-5133 or 911 if it’s after business hours, on the weekend or a holiday.