BLOOMFIELD — The Greene County Sheriff’s Department is alerting residents to a sophisticated phone scam that uses “spoofing” technology to make fraudulent calls appear as though they are coming directly from the department’s official number.
According to officials, scammers are impersonating law enforcement officers to demand immediate “bond payments” from unsuspecting citizens. The department is emphasizing that these calls are completely fraudulent and that the sheriff’s office will never request bond payments over the telephone.
In these high-pressure calls, the scammer typically informs the victim that they or a loved one has an outstanding warrant or is in custody. To resolve the matter and “post bond,” the victim is instructed to:
- Purchase specific cryptocurrencies (such as Bitcoin) via local kiosks.
- Buy gift cards from retail stores.
- Provide the digital codes or transaction details over the phone.
Officials remind the public that official bond payments are only accepted in person and only in cash at the Greene County Sheriff’s Department.
“If you receive a call that appears to be from our department and you are not sure of its validity, simply hang up,” the department advised in a public statement.
To verify the status of a warrant or a legitimate call, residents should manually dial the department’s non-emergency line at 812-384-4411. Do not use a “redial” feature, as this may connect you back to the scammer.
If you have fallen victim to this scam or received a suspicious call, you are encouraged to take the following steps:
- Contact Local Law Enforcement: File a report with the Greene County Sheriff’s Department at their office located at 204 County Road 70 E, Bloomfield.
- Report to the FTC: File a complaint online at ReportFraud.ftc.gov to help federal authorities track these criminal patterns.
- Indiana Attorney General: Submit a consumer protection complaint through the Office of the Indiana Attorney General.
