DURHAM, NC (Friday, April 24, 2026) – Scams never stop, but everyone can take steps to stay safe by following simple guidelines. A new report from the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) projects that Americans are losing an estimated $119 billion every year to online scams, with just under $3 billion resulting from government impersonation tactics.
Durham County Sheriff Clarence F. Birkhead wants to remind our community to stay vigilant. “Scammers are constantly evolving their tactics, often impersonating trusted organizations to trick you into giving them money or personal information,” he said.
Recently, one savvy Durham County resident made us aware of a scam so convincing they were ready to hand over thousands of dollars before realizing the ruse. While on the phone with the scammer, the resident received a letter (attached) stating they owed $30,000 for failure to appear in Federal Court. While the arrest warrant looked official, it was completely fake. Thankfully, the recipient contacted the Clerk of Courts to verify the claims before handing over any cash…