Franklin Co. Sheriff’s Office Says Warrant Scam Ongoing

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

A telephone scam involving a Franklin County Sheriff’s Office 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 its Facebook page saying the scam is still going strong and people are being conned out of money.

According to Franklin County Sheriff Stevie Thomas, the caller tells people he is the department’s warrant officer and  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 and offers the victim a chance to pay the warrant over the phone.

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

Thomas said it is a scam, noting that the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office will never call about an outstanding warrant and will never ask for money over the phone.

Sheriff Thomas said anyone who receives a call from the bogus cop should get as much information as possible 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 as of Sunday, even more people had been threatened, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post.