New Warrant Scam Making the Rounds in the ArkLaTex

If you get a call from the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office in Texas claiming that you owe them money, hang up immediately.  That advice is coming directly from the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office.  Sound confusing?  That's exactly what the con artists behind the latest scam sweeping the ArkLaTex are counting on.

According to the ArkLaTex Homepage, several folks claim that they have received calls from a "deputy Kirk Jones" and/or "County Judge Chad Sims" demanding money for various fines and missed court dates.  If the target refuses, the criminals masquerading as law enforcement threaten to issue a federal warrant for your arrest.

Lt. Jay Webb with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) says that his office would never call and demand payment over the phone.  Even if the caller knows some details about you (easily accessible on the web), Lt. Webb warns that anyone asking you to provide payment via a pre-paid card over the phone is not legit.

According to a statement from the HCSO:

The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office is NOT calling citizens and demanding payment for a warrant. Should you receive a call of this type, simply hang up the phone and do not engage in conversation with this person. This is one of the oldest and most used scams and creates fear and panic for the citizens. Do not fall victim to this scam.