The BBB Serving Central S.C. and Charleston is warning the public about a frightening and highly convincing phone scam that is part of a growing trend.
The scam begins with a call from individuals impersonating law enforcement— using names like “Sgt. Wilson” and “Lieutenant Jonathan Hamilton.” These scammers claim the recipient has missed a federal grand jury summons and now faces two felony arrest warrants. The caller provides personal information, such as the victim’s home address, to build credibility and pressure the target into complying.
The scammers allege that to avoid immediate jail time, the victim must post a bond, often thousands of dollars, by meeting a supposed “federal bondsman” at a local business. In one reported case, the payment location was a gas station off a major highway frontage road, where the victim was instructed to bring $15,225 in bail money…