April 11, 2023
By: Dwayne Page
DeKalb County Sheriff Patrick Ray is warning residents about a phone scam where callers are posing as law enforcement officers and asking would be victims to pay a fine.
According to Sheriff Ray, in some cases the caller has self-identified as Detective Gill Hill of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and tells the would-be victims that they have committed some offense and that they owe fines and should obtain a prepaid card to pay them.
If you get such a call, hang up!
Sheriff Ray said no one from the sheriff’s department will ever contact you in such a manner.
“I have been getting calls from people who have been receiving phone calls from someone claiming to be a detective from the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department. The person has used the name of Detective Gill Hill. They say they are a detective and most of those I have received complaints from are people with professional jobs in which the caller tells them they have done something wrong and want them to go to a local business in Smithville and get prepaid cards to pay off fines and fees. I want to let everybody know that is a scam. Nobody from the Sheriff’s Department will call you and ask for money,” said Sheriff Ray.
“I also have had some calls from people who say they have been called by someone claiming to be fundraising for certain victims in the name of the Sheriff’s department, police departments, and fire departments in DeKalb County. To my knowledge there is no fundraiser like that happening here locally. With this being the end of the tax season, it’s a perfect time for scammers to prey on people who may be getting a refund on their income taxes so my advice to you is beware if someone calls you asking for money. Do not give out any personal information and do not send any money or any debit, credit, or gift card numbers. Just hang up the phone,” said Sheriff Ray.
If you have a complaint or need more information you may call Sheriff Ray directly at 615-597-4935 extension 7.