Sheriff Warns of Rise in Law Enforcement Phone Scams

SAN ANGELO, TX - The Tom Green County Sheriff's Office is warning the public about a recent increase in phone scams in which callers falsely claim to represent law enforcement, the courts, or other government agencies.

According to the sheriff's office, these scammers are attempting to intimidate residents into paying fraudulent "fees" related to supposed missed court dates, failure to appear for subpoenas, or other fabricated violations.

In recent reports, victims stated the caller:

Claimed the resident had unpaid court fines or missed a required appearance. Threatened arrest if immediate payment was not made. Demanded payment through gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, or mobile payment apps. Used spoofed phone numbers to make it appear the call came from a legitimate agency.

The Tom Green County Sheriff's Office does not contact individuals by phone to demand payment for court-related matters. No legitimate law enforcement agency will request payment over the phone, nor will they require payment through gift cards, digital apps, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.

If you receive one of these calls, we recommend the following:

• Hang up immediately.
• Do not provide personal information, including your date of birth, social security number, bank information, or address.
• Do not make any payment, regardless of the threat or pressure applied.
• Contact the sheriff's office directly at (325) 655-8111 if you believe you were targeted or have questions about a call.
• Report suspicious activity to law enforcement so we can track ongoing patterns.

"We strongly encourage residents to share this information with family members, friends, and local businesses to help prevent additional victims," information from the sheriff's office stated. "Scammers often target older adults or individuals unfamiliar with court processes, making community awareness essential."