Scam Alert: Impostor Poses As Sheriff In $2,000 Gift Card Fraud

ST. MARTIN PARISH, La. (KPEL News) - Imagine getting a call from someone who identifies themselves as the Sheriff of your parish, then talks you out of thousands of dollars. The person calling might even sound just like the sheriff. That is exactly what happened to a local, elderly woman.

Read More: Louisiana Residents Warned Against Publishers Clearinghouse Scam

Sheriff Becket Breaux announced this week that deputies with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office (SMPSO) responded to a report from a resident who received a phone call the week prior from someone posing as Sheriff Becket Breaux. The caller proceeded to tell the resident that they had an outstanding warrant in reference to items they purchased through a magazine and convinced the woman that she was being sought by the FBI in connection with the incident.

THEY TELL VICTIMS THAT THOUSANDS ARE OWED

Uriel Sinai/Getty Images

The fake caller told the woman that they could help her take care of the penalty and instructed them to go to the bank and withdraw money to purchase specific gift cards at Dollar General in the amount of $2,000.00. The caller remained on the phone with the victim as they completed each transaction and then instructed her to provide them with the gift card numbers and CVV codes on each card.

THERE ARE WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF

According to investigators, caller I.D. indicated that the call originated from the St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office non-emergency telephone line. Sheriff Breaux explained how scam artists utilize spoofing methods like this one to scam unsuspecting victims.

"We want to caution the public to be aware of these types of scam artists. They often prey on the elderly and are very forceful in their tone and will often utilize scare tactics such as the one listed above, to scam unsuspecting individuals," The SMPSO.said in a statement.

They advised that if you receive a call of this type, please hang up and call your local enforcement agency to report it. Never provide information like your social security number, checking or savings account information, credit card information, etc.