Habersham County Sheriff’s Office warning Elderly Residents about Scam

The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office will NEVER call anyone demanding or accepting payment for anything over the phone. Never. Not at all.

Please let your elderly family and friends know that neither the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office nor any other legitimate law enforcement agency will call them on the phone demanding immediate payment for bond, to avoid an arrest warrant for missed jury duty, about ankle monitors, or anything else.

Again, it appears scammers are preying on the families of individuals incarcerated in our jail. Third party online searches make it too easy for anyone to find out known relatives of individuals.

A purported “Mark Townsend”, sometimes referring to himself as a lieutenant, is calling family members of inmates and telling them they must unexpectedly pay a bond for their loved one immediately online or over the phone.

Urgency and fear are two methods used by scammers to pressure you to give up your hard-earned, saved money.

Again, our detention center staff and other personnel will NEVER call demanding payment for anything over the phone.

No one other than the incarcerated individual will reach out to families regarding bond.

Anyone receiving a call of this nature should immediately hang up without providing any information.

Please share this information with family and friends, fellow church or club members, and those in your neighborhood.