Richland County Sheriff James Bindl is alerting local citizens that his department is again receiving calls regarding phone scams and fraud complaints.
In the latest complaints received by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, victims receive a phone call from a party claiming to be a grandson stating that he is in jail and needs money to be released. The victim is then connected to a person claiming to be the officer in charge or attorney to provide details on how to pay the bond for their grandson’s release. Victims to these scams have stated that the party on the phone does sound like their grandchildren and will even use their grandchild’s name when they call. In some cases the scammer will ask the victim to go put money on a pre-paid gift card and then send them the card number.
Sheriff Bindl said that if you receive a similar phone call to check with your family members on their personal phone. Sheriff Bindl is asking all citizens to use caution with any suspicious phone call that you receive. If you have any questions about a possible scam feel free to contact the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.
Authority: Sheriff James J. Bindl