The Sharp County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents to a scam involving callers impersonating law enforcement officers. Sheriff Shane Russell reported receiving information about individuals claiming to be deputies with his office. These scammers tell residents they have missed jury duty and that a warrant for their arrest has been issued.
The caller then claims the warrant can be dismissed if the resident pays a specified amount of money. Sheriff Russell strongly emphasized that local law enforcement does not operate this way and will never request payment to resolve warrants or dismiss charges.
Residents who receive such calls are urged not to engage with the scammer or provide any personal or financial information. Instead, anyone who has been contacted or has already made a payment is encouraged to report the incident to their local law enforcement agency to file a formal report.
Similar scams have been reported in other parts of Arkansas and around the country, often exploiting people’s fear of arrest or legal repercussions. Residents are reminded to remain vigilant and verify any unsolicited calls claiming to represent law enforcement or government agencies by independently contacting the appropriate official office.