Jefferson County Residents Warned as Scam Calls Surge Across Area

Jefferson Co., Mo. (KFMO) - The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to stay alert as scam attempts continue to rise across the area.

Public Information Officer Grant Bissell says scammers have been aggressively targeting residents in recent weeks through phone calls, text messages, and emails.

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Bissell says several scam attempts have either been prevented or successfully convinced victims to send money.

According to Bissell, many of the scammers are posing as members of the sheriff’s office or other state agencies. Victims are told they have an outstanding warrant, unpaid fines, missed jury duty, or other legal issues that require immediate payment.

Authorities say the biggest warning sign is when the caller demands payment through unusual methods such as gift cards, money orders, cryptocurrency, or Bitcoin.

The sheriff’s office emphasized that legitimate law enforcement agencies and courts do not call residents demanding payment or threatening arrest over the phone.

Officials are encouraging residents to follow several important steps to protect themselves from scams:

• Stay calm and avoid making emotional decisions under pressure.
• Never send money or pay fines over the phone to unknown callers.
• Gather as much information as possible from the caller, including names, titles, and agency information.
• Hang up and contact the agency directly using an official number found online.
• Report suspicious calls, texts, or emails to local law enforcement.
• Share scam warnings with family and friends to help protect others.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says public awareness is one of the best tools to stop scammers from succeeding.