Police Alert: Callers Pose as Sheriff's Deputies in Phone Scam

A special media alert from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department:

Citizens are advised of a new scam that has been reported in Athens-Clarke County. Unknown persons are calling citizens and identifying themselves as deputies with the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office.

The caller states that the citizen or a family member has an arrest warrant. The caller purports the “warrants” are for missed court dates or failure to appear for jury duty. The citizen is instructed to purchase a prepaid debit card to pay a fine so that the citizen or family member will not be arrested. 

Although the Sheriff’s Office may contact persons with outstanding warrants by telephone, they do not solicit payment over the telephone.

If you receive a call such as this, do not send any money or give out any credit/debit card or bank account numbers. Call 911 to report this type activity and if possible, record the telephone number of the incoming call to provide to police.