Local law enforcement in Blair, Centre, and Cambria counties is alerting residents to a rise in phone scams.
BLAIR COUNTY:
The Blair County Sheriff’s office has received reports of residents receiving calls from individuals claiming to be “Sheriff Ott” or from someone purporting to be with “Homeland Security.” These individuals allege that they are investigating credit card misuse and illicit drug purchases abroad. They provide a case number and personal information to appear credible. They also disguise their phone number as the Blair County Sheriff’s office on caller ID. The scammers instruct victims to purchase gift cards and bring them to the courthouse while staying on the line.
CAMBRIA COUNTY:
The Ebensburg Borough police are cautioning residents about the “grandchild in jail” scam, which typically targets older individuals. In this scam, callers falsely claim that a family member, often a grandchild, is incarcerated and needs money for bail or fines. Recently, two men from Las Vegas were sentenced for this scam, with one of them personally collecting the “bail” money at people’s homes. Ebensburg Police advise those receiving such calls to consult a trusted family member or local law enforcement for verification.
CENTRE COUNTY:
The Centre County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents to a ‘jury duty’ scam. They have received numerous calls about scammers posing as members of the sheriff’s office. These scammers threaten residents with arrest for missing jury duty and demand a specific payment to resolve the alleged warrant. Although the sheriff’s office did not specify payment details, many such scams involve gift card payments or requests for banking information to drain checking accounts.
Remember, if you suspect you are being targeted by a scam, hang up and call the organization or agency directly to verify the situation. For instance, if you believe you are facing legal trouble, disconnect the call and contact your local law enforcement agency for assistance and confirmation regarding their attempts to reach you.
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