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Citizen Scam Alert ****This is an actual scam incident, the names have been changed to protect sensitive information.
John arrived at SGPD and informed officers someone was trying to scam him out of money. He received a phone call from someone claiming to be "Chief Deputy Jordan Miller" with Iron County Sheriff's Office. They left him a message telling him to call back at 435-***-****. The person on the phone stated the citizen had two active warrants for his arrest, missed a court date, and was being held in contempt of court due to missing the court date. The suspect on the phone told John he would need to drive to Iron County Sheriff's Office and turn himself in. The caller then informed John he would need $2500 for bail. They also told him to remain on the phone while driving to the office so if he got pulled over "they" could explain to the officer who pulled him over he was taking care of his warrants. John told the caller he did not have $2500 in cash. They told him they did not take credit cards, but he could pay a portion of it with Google Play Store gift cards. John went to Best Buy in Washington and purchased 3- $200 Google Play Store gift cards, all while remaining on the phone with the caller. John said the caller then asked him to scratch off the back and read the gift card number to him. John became suspicious due to the caller's story changing and did not read it to him. He instead told the caller he was going to go to the St George Police Station. The caller tried to talk John out of it, but John did not listen to the caller. When officers made contact with John, the caller heard the officer and hung up the phone.
Lessons to take away from this case
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Before divulging any personal information to anyone, know who you’re dealing with. Never send money or account information over the phone. Don’t fall for pressure tactics. When in doubt, hang up the phone. Never react quickly or impulsively to offers/requests/demands on the phone. Law Enforcement, Government Agencies, etc., will NEVER ask you to buy gift cards.
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