Detectives from the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department are warning citizens of another telephone scam that has resurfaced locally from February. Officers recently received various reports of citizens who have been contacted by individuals via telephone portraying themselves as either the local police or sheriff’s departments, according to a press release from KCSD. The caller presumably attempts to deceive the person they called by advising that they have some type of outstanding court cost or fines. In a second variation, the suspects tell victims that they have missed a court date, such as jury duty, and that a warrant will be issued for their arrest. The suspects will then provide a fraudulent solution, suggesting that the victim obtain a pre-paid credit card in the amount of the fictitious fine. In most cases, the suspects try to prey on citizens with confusing and obscuring verbal tactics. They are also using the names of actual police officers, as well as court officials, in the scheme. Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine advises that neither the county court system nor the sheriff’s department contact individuals over the telephone regarding such matters. Any such payments for court cost, fines or warrants must be made in person at the Kosciusko County Justice Building. He also urges citizens to be very protective of their personal information. If contacted, detectives advise the public to simply hang up and notify law enforcement to report the incident.
