Sheriff warns public of convincing phone scam

A caller posing as a deputy sheriff is asking people to send money to settle outstanding legal matters, Sheriff Eric Clark warns.

“They are very convincing,” Clark said.

They are using the names “Deputy Clay” and “Lt. Davenport,” according to Clark, and he does not have anyone by either name on staff. 

“The caller states they have pending charges and if they don't send money, they will be arrested for not showing up to court,” Clark said. 

“If you are the recipient of one of these calls, hang up immediately and do not share any information. The Sheriff will not call soliciting money.”

Clark said he does not know of a case where anyone has given the scammers money. But he said he’s had “dear friends” who have been targeted and called or texted.

Clark said his office also received a report from a woman in Scott County who was “very upset” after receiving one of these scam calls. Clark said this is a known, ongoing scam that has recently kicked up in the past week or so.

Another scam that has been reported has involved a sweepstakes or jackpot where the caller tells the person on the phone they have won but need to send a fee in through a Green Dot Visa to receive their prize money.

‘We just want to alert the residents of Neshoba County to some of the scams that we know are ongoing out there,” Clark said.