How the scam works
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX — Residents in Montgomery County are being warned about callers who pretend to be law enforcement and pressure people into sending money or sharing private information. The sheriff’s office says older adults are a particular target because scammers often use urgency and fear to push quick decisions.
According to Sheriff Wesley Doolittle, the department is mailing scam-awareness cards to homes, placing them in local businesses, and sharing them with families. The goal is to reach seniors who may not regularly see warnings on social media.
The sheriff’s office says scammers may use the name of an actual officer or make the caller ID look legitimate. They often claim the call is about missed jury duty, bail, tickets, or other fees, then demand immediate payment. The agency says it will never ask for money over the phone in that way.
The warning signs
- The caller says you owe money right away for jury duty, bail, tickets, or another fee.
- You are told to pay by gift card, wire transfer, or another hard-to-trace method.
- The person on the phone pressures you to act immediately and not to tell anyone.
- The caller uses the name of a real officer to sound official.
- Caller ID shows a police department or government number, but the request still feels unusual.
- The caller asks for personal or financial information that a real agency would not need over the phone.
If you've already paid or shared information
- Hang up and stop communicating with the caller.
- Contact your bank, credit card company, or payment service right away if you sent money.
- Change passwords if you shared account access or other login details.
- Watch account statements closely for any unfamiliar charges or withdrawals.
- Freeze your credit if you provided sensitive personal information that could be used to open accounts.
- Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- If you believe your local law enforcement agency was impersonated, call it back using a trusted number you found independently.
How to protect yourself
- Do not trust a phone number shown on caller ID without checking it separately.
- Use an independently verified number to call a law enforcement agency back if a caller claims to be an officer.
- Remember that legitimate agencies do not demand immediate payment over the phone for missed jury duty, bail, or tickets.
- Never send gift cards or cash to settle a supposed government debt.
- Do not give out Social Security numbers, bank details, or other private information to an unexpected caller.
- Talk with family members, especially older relatives, about this kind of scam so they know what to expect.
The bottom line
Fake law enforcement calls are meant to create panic, but the safest response is to slow down and verify the request before taking any action. A real agency will not pressure you to pay immediately by phone for a missed court date, ticket, or other fee.
The sheriff’s office is trying to get the warning into homes, businesses, and family conversations because those reminders can stop a scam before it starts. If a caller demands money or private information, hang up, confirm the number on your own, and report the contact if it appears fraudulent.
