Greenbrier County, W.Va. — Greenbrier County Sheriff Bart Baker is urging residents to be cautious and aware of several fraudulent schemes that have already victimized several people.
According to Baker, the most common scam today involves perpetrators impersonating law enforcement officers. Victims report receiving calls from people claiming to be police officers informing them that they have a warrant for their arrest because they missed jury duty or failed to appear in court. Scammers frequently use the names of actual law enforcement officers to appear legitimate.
Baker claims that these perpetrators then instruct victims to withdraw money and send it to them via Bitcoin or gift cards. Scammers use threats and intimidation to coerce their victims into sending money. Recent victims have been directed to buy Bitcoin from kiosks and transfer it to a specific account. Once the money has been sent using these methods, recovery is virtually impossible.
Baker emphasized that legitimate law enforcement agencies do not use these tactics. Bonds, bail, and fines are collected at a real courthouse. If an arrest warrant is valid, the individual is arrested, processed, and arraigned in court, with any bond set and paid. Fraudulent callers may even send fake warrant images in the victim’s name to appear credible.
Other reported scams include calls from people claiming to be from the IRS about unpaid taxes or claiming fraudulent use of the victim’s Social Security number, all demanding immediate payment.
Baker offered the following advice for residents who receive such suspicious calls:
Do not include any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, banking information, credit card numbers, or address.
Hang up immediately and contact authorities using a phone number you know is legitimate.
Inform the caller that you will be reporting to your local courthouse to resolve the issue, and then hang up.
Never send money using Bitcoin, gift cards, Western Union, money transfers, or mail cash. Legitimate law enforcement agencies do not request payment using these methods.
Request a call-back number, hang up, and then contact local law enforcement to determine whether the call is a scam.
Always contact your local law enforcement before sending money to an unknown caller.
Residents can always check with their local police, Magistrate Court, or Circuit Court to see if they have missed a court appearance.
Baker hopes that this information will help educate the public and prevent future victimization. He encourages anyone who has questions or needs help to contact his office.
