NEW SCAM: Calls to pay off warrants for arrest  

VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - WALB reported last week that a phone number, impersonating the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office, was calling residents. Now, Valdosta residents are receiving similar calls and have a warning from law enforcement about other scams to be on the lookout for.

A new scam involves subjects calling you from fake numbers, presenting themselves as law enforcement to tell you that you have a warrant, and to avoid being arrested, you need to send them money.

Valdosta Police Chief Leslie Manahan said, “Law enforcement will not do that.”

Manahan says she has seen several cases where citizens are answering what appears to be local public safety calls, then calling the police department to inquire about possible warrants to avoid arrests.

“Some cases were able to look at the phone numbers and find out where the phone calls are coming from. But it is very hard anymore with technology growing so much that some of these phone numbers are not traceable,” she said.

This phishing scam is added to the list of those seen here in Georgia, between calls about a loan approval and the most common Peach Pass texts. Georgians are warned not to answer the phone and to delete texts immediately.

Manahan warns residents:

“Do not call those numbers back! What we’re getting is that people are calling those numbers back and they tell you to leave a message. They record your voice and your name, using that to again break into systems that they may be able to get to with your voice.”

If you do feel like you have fallen victim to any scam, contact your bank immediately and check your credit report regularly, and report all suspicious activity to local law enforcement.

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