Scam Alert
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
The purpose of this posted list is merely to relay public record information received by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in the course of the Sheriff’s official duties. The information has not been altered and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office makes no expressed or implied guarantee as to the accuracy or validity of the information received from the original information sources and assumes no liability for damages, direct or indirect as a result of errors, omissions, or discrepancies.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office makes every effort to update scam information whenever new information is received. We monitor the website regularly to verify that the information is accurate, based on the information available to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Names and addresses of individuals only appear on the posted list if the individuals have been arrested, summoned, or a warrant has been requested for their arrest.
Anyone who uses information contained in this database to commit a criminal act against another person is subject to criminal prosecution.
I have read the foregoing disclaimer and
agree to the terms of this information.
Steve Stephens – Wood County Sheriff
The Wood County Sheriff’s Office is still getting reports from individuals being scammed via the phone. The caller is pretending to be a deputy sheriff and tells individuals that they have an outstanding fine for not showing up for jury duty or there is a warrant issued for their arrest. They are given the option of going to the store and purchasing a Green Dot card in the amount of $250 or appear in person and pay $500 which includes being booked by having fingerprints and photos taken. Unfortunately, people are falling for this scam and taking the easier Green Dot option. Once the individual gets the Green Dot card, they give the scammer the card information and then the scammer endorses the card for the cash. Usually, the scammer keeps the individuals on the phone during the whole process to insure that their directions are being followed. These scammers are doing this all over the country and are believed to be operating from outside of the United States.
The Wood County Sheriff’s Office deals with individuals in person and not over the phone when we have these type of issues. Secondly, we do not have an automated telephone system. When you call our office, you will always speak to a real person. We continually try to keep the public informed on any scams as we receive them through the media and our own social media.
If you get a phone call like this, please call our office number at 304-424-1834 and report it. This will also give you peace of mind knowing that it was in fact a scam and not our department calling you.