After Sheriff Randy Brown received a call from phone scammers posing as deputies to steal thousands from residents who reported the same calls, he sends a warning.
MEDINA COUNTY, Texas — Thieves behind the telephone. Medina County Sheriff Randy Brown said a phone scam is stealing thousands of dollars from people.
In the last few weeks, he said they’ve received a couple dozen complaints. Brown said the scammers called him, claiming he needed to pay up.
“I actually received one of the calls myself claiming that I had failed to show up to a federal grand jury summons,” Brown said. “When I finally told him, ‘I know this chief deputy,’ he said, ‘Personally?’ I said, ‘Yes, he works for me.’ I told him to Google Randy Brown, Medina County, you’ll see I’m the sheriff. Then click, they hang up.”
He said the scammers are using the names of real deputies and spoofing local phone numbers to make the calls appear legitimate. Some victims were told to stay on the line while purchasing prepaid gift cards or converting cash to Bitcoin. He said one victim lost $8,000.
“We do not conduct business like that over the telephone,” Brown said. “We do not call people and tell them they have a warrant. If you have a warrant, we will come to your house.”
Brown said he is telling everyone including addressing his church congregation.
“Do not fall for this. Do not talk to these people,” he said. “It is a lie. They are going to steal your money.”
The sheriff said the scam is difficult to investigate due to the use of spoofing apps.
“Hang up, and do not have a conservation with them,” he said.