February 25th, 2025
NEWS RELEASE
Unfortunately a variety of phone and internet scams continue throughout our area and Bonneville Sheriff’s Deputies have received reports of a new twist victimizing our community. The basic premise of the scam is familiar in that the suspects pose as Sheriff’s Deputies or Court Personnel advising the victim they have active warrants, missed jury duty, or some other type of legal proceeding they could be arrested for. In several of those instances suspects use the names of Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputies and Administration, even having voicemail message set up using Sheriff’s Office names on call back.
The ultimate goal is to convince victims they must pay a fine over the phone to avoid criminal consequences or arrest, something Law Enforcement and Court Officials do not solicit over the phone. In a new twist, callers try to convince the victim to pay money over the phone to deal with the supposed warrant or issue first, and then appear at the Sheriff’s Office or Courts where they will be reimbursed once payment is confirmed.
Any circumstance where people have active warrants, jury duty, or summons for proceedings typically requires an in person appearance at the courthouse or jail. While Sheriff’s Deputies contact people in our community for a variety of reasons, there is never a circumstance where Deputies or Court Officials will solicit money over the phone to avoid arrest. A tell tale sign the caller is impersonating an officer is when the only way payment can be made is through gift cards, money cards, bitcoin, or other electronic currency.
When in doubt, the public can always call Dispatch or the Sheriff’s Office to verify if a Deputy is trying reach them. Never give your personal information or account information over the phone. Take advantage of security measures available for your financial, social media and email accounts. It is always good practice to monitor those accounts for suspicious activity.
