Franklin County Sheriff Says Cop Impersonator Still Scamming Citizens

A telephone scam we told you about last week involving a Sheriff’s deputy impersonator is still going on and the Franklin County Sheriff’s office is warning people once again to be aware it is a scam.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s office posted a second warning Sunday on their Facebook page saying the scam is still going strong and people are being conned out of money.

According to Sheriff Steve Thomas, the caller tells people he is the department’s warrant officer.

“The caller identifies himself as Sgt Snyder with the Warrant Division of the Franklin County Sheriff’s office,” Thomas said. “He’s been leaving a 706-244-6733 number. The caller says he’s calling regarding a warrant for failure to appear for jury duty or grand jury duty or reference to a warrant.”

Thomas said the caller then threatens to have people arrested if they don’t pay up.

“He offers the victim a chance to pay the warrant over the phone. This is a scam. Do not give this person any money or any personal information. This person does not work for the Franklin County Sheriff’s office,” Thomas said. “If you receive a call from this person we ask that you report it to the Sheriff’s office immediately.”

According to the Sheriff, the caller demands the victim pay $500 immediately by putting it on card.

He said the Sheriff’s office will never call you about an outstanding warrant and will never ask for money over the phone.

The Sheriff said if you receive a call from the bogus cop, he advises you first get as much information as you can and then report it to the Sheriff’s office or 911.

As of last week, the scammer had gotten money out of seven people in Franklin County with the bogus arrest threat.

And of Sunday, even more people had been threatened, according to the Sheriff’s office Facebook post.