SCAM WARNING

The Lycoming County Sheriff's Office wishes to inform residents about an ongoing scam in our area. Several area residents have received phone calls from individuals impersonating a member of the Lycoming County Sheriff's Office who claim to have arrest warrants for outstanding fines. The caller falsely advises that the fine is for failure to show up for Jury Duty, following which they direct the victim to meet with them to collect payment.  The Sheriff's Office DOES NOT conduct business in this manner [nor does any other Lycoming County Law Enforcement Agency.] 

BEFORE you give ANYONE your personal information, ALWAYS call the agency the caller purports to be affiliated with. DO NOT meet with anyone to sign a “bail piece,” nor give them a check or other form of payment.

Below is a summary of how to safeguard yourself from becoming the victim of any SCAM:

1. Under no circumstances should a resident ever PROVIDE ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION by phone when receiving any calls unless the resident personally knows the caller.
2. Never provide ANY CREDIT CARD INFORMATION to anyone whom the resident does not personally know or with whom a resident has not initiated the call.
3. Note any TELEPHONE NUMBER of the caller, which is indicated on the resident’s telephone system.
4. DOCUMENT THE CONVERSATION with the suspect making the call.
5. Disconnect without providing any information to the caller.
6. CALL THE OFFICE OF THE LYCOMING COUNTY SHERIFF AT 570.327.2280 IF A RESIDENT HAS ANY CONCERNS THAT HE OR SHE MAY BE A WANTED PERSON OR TO INQUIRE IF THE OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF HAS ANY REASON TO MAKE CONTACT WITH YOU. PLEASE NOTE: The Sheriff's Office does not conduct business in this manner by telephone.
7. Any residents who have ALREADY received any calls similar to these described, are requested to call the Office of Lycoming County Sheriff to report the calls.
8. Typically, criminals who are questioned by YOU will become very uncooperative.
9. Be aware that criminals are able to access much of our personal information through websites that have our personal information, such as white pages or social media sites.

This series of scam attempts are currently being criminally investigated by the Lycoming County Sheriff’s Office and Detectives from the District Attorney's Office.

Please share this information with friends, relatives, and neighbors in an effort to prevent them from becoming a victim.