Department warns of scammers acting as sheriff’s employees

There’s a new scam every day, it seems, and another is popping up in northeast Arkansas.

The Craighead County Sheriff’s Department issued a warning via social media Wednesday about a new scam where the criminal pretends to be with the sheriff’s office. The scammer is contacting their intended target, telling them they were subpoenaed to court in a mental health case, and since they didn’t show up, they now owe a fine or they will be arrested. The scammer then tells the target to go to a store and purchase money cards to make the payment.

WE WILL NEVER CONTACT YOU REQUESTING PAYMENT OF A FINE OVER THE PHONE IN LIEU OF ARREST.

Craighead County Sheriff’s Department

The scammers sound legitimate by using the names of people actually employed at the sheriff’s office. They even have phone prompts like a real office.

If it seems off, it probably is off, law enforcement warns.

We do contact people for various reasons but not to request payment, and not to threaten arrest if payment isn’t made.

Craighead County Sheriff’s Department

The scammers have mainly been contacting those in the medical community, but the sheriff’s department warns that doesn’t mean they won’t contact others.