The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of a potential phone scam involving a warrant for arrest.
According to the department a Chillicothe resident reported receiving a call from “Kelly Smith” who claimed to be with the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office. The number showing up on the resident’s caller id was the 660-646-0515, the same number as the Sheriff’s Office. “Smith” allegedly told the citizen they had a warrant for their arrest and then instructed the resident to call a number in New York (917) area code and pay $601.00 to have the case put on hold.
The Sheriff’s Office warns that this is a scam.
“The criminals are using a technique to falsely display the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office phone number for caller id purposes and to bolster their criminal acts,” Sheriff Steve Cox said in an email warning. “The LCSO does not do business this way nor do we solicit money for a group in New York. All this information is being shared with the proper Federal authorities.”
In April the St. Joseph Police Department issued a similar warning. A caller was allegedly telling residents in the St. Joseph area that they also had warrants out for their arrests and needed to pay money to take care of the situation.
Police have said this scam is taking place in many jurisdictions.