Local Police Departments have issued the following alert: Beware of messages posted on social media offering to sell concert tickets and requesting payment through Zelle, Venmo or another payment service. These posts are often made from an account belonging to someone you know who has had their account hacked. Several departments have received reports of victims making payment transfers but not receiving the tickets.
According to a Facebook post, another local law enforcement agency has received a new round of reports of people receiving phone calls from someone pretending to be a law enforcement employee. The caller tells residents that they have outstanding warrants and they must transfer money via a Bitcoin wallet or be arrested immediately.
The local agency said they will never call residents demanding payment to avoid arrest. This is a common scam in area communities, and scammers may use the actual names of deputies, command staff, or other personnel. Please do not ever give out personal information over the phone, and if you feel that you are the victim of a scam, promptly report it to your local law enforcement agency.