FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – Investigators with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office say they have received complaints about a new phone scam.
According to Major Michael Nunn with the Sheriff’s Office, victims report receiving a voicemail from someone claiming to be a Florence County deputy advising them that they failed to report for jury duty and that a bench warrant for their arrest has been issued. The message also says the warrant can be withdrawn if the victim will pay a $500 fine, and then instructs the victim to call a phone number to avoid arrest.
When the victims call the number they hear an official-sounding voicemail message that says “You have reached the Florence County Sheriff’s Department; if this is an emergency, please hang up now and dial 911.” The victim is prompted to press “2” for the “Jury Services Unit” where they are told to leave their name and number so a deputy can call them back.
When the fake deputy calls back, he tells the victim that to avoid arrest they must go to a local pharmacy to purchase a Money Pac Card or gift card for $500 and to provide the card number and security PIN to the deputy. The victim is then told to bring the card to the Law Enforcement Center in Effingham and deposit it into the kiosk in the lobby to complete the payment.
Nunn confirms no one from the Florence County Sheriff’s Office will ever call you and demand money to resolve a criminal charge or an outstanding warrant. The sheriff’s office is not a collection agency for the court and you cannot avoid arrest by using a gift or credit card to pay a fine.
Nunn says the callback numbers are almost impossible to track and once the scam is completed, there is little law enforcement can do. The best way to protect yourself is simply hang up.
If you have any doubts about the legitimate nature of such a call, contact the Sheriff’s Office at our published number (843) 665-2121.