Benton County Sheriff’s Office Alerts Residents to Scam Calls
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office has sounded the alarm, warning residents about an uptick in scam calls targeting local residents. These scams typically involve callers claiming to be law enforcement officers or government officials, demanding money to avoid arrest or settle alleged debts.
In one variant, scammers will pose as captains from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, contacting people with urgent messages about civil matters that require immediate payment. They often request citizens return a call to a specific phone number and extension, only to lead them to a fraudulent automated response.
Another sophisticated tactic involves calling from spoofed toll-free numbers associated with reputable financial institutions, making the calls appear more legitimate. In these calls, criminals try to exploit fear, convincing victims to hand over sensitive financial information.
Law enforcement officials emphasize that they never call or text individuals requesting money or personal banking information. Residents should be wary of unexpected contact and never provide such details over the phone. Instead, they can verify the legitimacy of calls by contacting the sheriff’s office directly.
Police urge citizens to be cautious and hang up if they suspect a scam. They also advise against clicking on suspicious links in texts, as these could lead to spoofed websites designed to steal personal information.
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office has received multiple complaints about these scams, and residents are advised to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
