Horry County and Georgetown County deputies are warning of a scam that has returned to our area.
Both sheriff’s departments sent out a warning Tuesday about the shady phone calls involved in the scam.
In the phone hoax, the caller purporting to be from the sheriff’s office tells people they have outstanding warrants or failed to show up jury duty. The person on the phone then claims the victim can make a payment over the phone to avoid going to jail or prosecution.
The Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office and the Horry County Sheriff’s Office say they never use telemarketing to levy fines or advertise to people with warrants to make immediate restitution over the phone.
The phone calls can also involve elaborate hoaxes, Horry County officials warned.
“The caller will also leave a phone number for the person to call back and when the person call’s back the voicemail message says ‘Horry County Sheriff’s Office.’ The caller is very persistent and will call sometimes several times a day until he/she speaks to someone on the phone,” deputies said.
If you receive one of these calls, please hang up immediately. Do not send money.
If you have been a victim of this scam in Horry County and would like to report it, please call Horry County Sgt. Sherri Smith at 843-915-8571.If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to call on behalf of the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office to solicit fines or fees, please contact your local police or the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office at (843) 546-5102.
In Georgetown County, anonymous tips can also be sent by using Text-A-Tip. Just dial 274637 from any text enabled cell phone, and text the word “GCSOTIP” followed by your message. This service is for crime tips ONLY, not for the reports of crimes in progress. For crimes in progress, call 911
