Scam Alert: People Calling Posing As HC Sheriffs

Submitted by asWorldsCollide2ptOh t3_12408p8 in ColumbiaMD

Not a rant, just a PSA.

Got a call today from someone posing as a HC Sheriff asking why I hadn't showed up for Jury Duty assignment. He gave a name that checked out on the HC Sheriff's Department and asked me to confirm a number of questions about me; i.e., he read my correct address asked me to confirm, then he read my date of birth and asked me to confirm. I told him I wasn't going to confirm anything personally identifiable over the phone and he claimed if that was the case or it I hung up that he was sending a unit to my residence.

I hung up and called the HC Sheriff's Department and the gentleman on the phone immediately said it was a scam, that they are aware, and HC Police are investigating.

He called from a private number and when I asked why he claimed that it was if they didn't the people they're trying to apprehend wouldn't pick up. Normally I don't pick up for a private number, but for some reason I did.

I'm pretty savy but I admit that I for whatever reason I almost go caught by this one. I saw a someone randomly trying to deliver something in my car this morning just prior, and I thought that was odd and put what I thought was two and two together, as in I thought that was how I saw people get summoned in the movies. But yes, I am still an idiot.

Do please let them know if you have encountered this.

42

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

RevRagnarok t1_jdx8gia wrote

"Cool; I'll be waiting!"

Somebody tried scamming me saying BGE was coming to turn off my power. That was my response.

25

tacitus59 t1_jdx9z8h wrote

Thanks ... frankly shit like this needs serious punishment.

17

Moonagi t1_jdxdzsb wrote

You were supposed to show up for jury duty but didn’t. Normally this would carry a fine and some jail time, however if you buy me a $100 Amazon gift card we can act like this never happened…

12

Fiddlywiffers t1_jdxdoe4 wrote

Don’t forget about the 5th amendment! I’m not a professional by the way, so “grain of salt”.

−1

fergiethefocus t1_jdxfamg wrote

It's 2023. People really need to learn to screen or not answer unrecognised calls.

−8

tacitus59 t1_jdxicqn wrote

Frankly caller-id needs to be free on all lines.

13

hymie0 t1_je1baoq wrote

Caller ID is not reliable. It is easy to spoof.

There used to be web sites that would do it for free, but all the ones I can find right now require logins and subscriptions.

2

throway35885328 t1_je0b5r4 wrote

As someone who is looking for a job, and receives unrecognized calls often to schedule interviews, I can’t afford to not answer the phone

5

fergiethefocus t1_je0vdvd wrote

  1. A reputable company will show their phone number as "verified"

  2. If they don't leave you a voicemail, that's probably a bad sign as to their professionalism.

I mean, if you answer every single call you get, that is your right, but you're wasting a lot of time to scammers by not taking simple precautions.

0

Subject_Lab2001 t1_je9x3ic wrote

When I had more free time, I used to enjoy speaking with the scammers. They usually end up getting pissed and hanging up. I like to see how long I can keep them on the phone.

As time goes on, I become more and more ridiculous. It is amazing how much they will put up with if they think you'll fall for their nonsense.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to do that in a while. Life has become too busy.

1