GEORGETOWN, DE (Nov. 29, 2018): It’s the most wonderful time of the year – for scams.

In recent days, the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office has become aware of another round of fictitious calls being made in the county, purportedly on behalf of the department. The latest scam has a caller posing as a Sussex County sheriff’s deputy. The scammer claims the recipient of the call missed a court appearance and a warrant for his or her arrest has been issued. In order to avoid arrest, the scammer tells the victim to send a prepaid gift card, the amount of which can be refunded by then visiting the sheriff’s office in person.

The scenario is nothing more than old-fashioned fraud.

Sussex County Sheriff Robert Lee’s office reminds the public that deputies will never solicit citizens by telephone or email to collect funds, fines or fees. Additionally, contact by the sheriff’s office always will be made in person whenever subpoenas or other court-related documents must be delivered to citizens.

To assist the public, the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office provides the following tips to anyone who encounters a would-be scammers:

• Try to obtain the caller’s name, a physical address and a telephone number, as well as the name of the organization represented;
• Do not give sensitive or personal identifying information, such as Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, passwords, addresses, or dates of birth;
• Do not give any money, and do not agree to any terms or conditions;
• Hang up and directly contact the agency in question to verify any claims;
• Contact local law enforcement to report any suspected scam.

For more information, contact the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office at (302) 855-7830.

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