BALTIMORE, MD (WBFF) — Baltimore residents are being warned about a rise in phone scams in which callers impersonate law enforcement and threaten arrest unless victims pay hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Sheriff Sam Cogen and the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office said scammers are contacting people about supposed warrants, traffic violations or missed jury duty service. The callers often try to create a sense of urgency, telling victims they have only minutes to avoid being arrested.
The Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office said it will never ask anyone to pay money using prepaid debit cards, gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or payment apps such as PayPal, Cash App or Venmo. The office also warned that no legitimate government agency will request payment of a fine through those methods…