Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a telephone scam being perpetrated against residents of Cleveland County. Several residents have received calls from a phone number listed as Cleveland County Sheriff’s office on the recipients’ Caller ID feature. The callers may even claim to be a specific deputy or officer. Receivers of these calls are told they have missed jury duty and must pay a fine in order to avoid arrest. The scammer gives the citizen specific instructions on how to pay the money. If you receive such a call, know that it is absolutely a scam.
Sheriff Alan Norman wants citizens of Cleveland County to know that his Office does not call citizens, demanding money in lieu of jail time. Sheriff Norman recommends not giving personal information, such as date of birth, social security number, or address over the phone, regardless of what the caller says. The Sheriff strongly discourages citizens from sending money to anyone who calls over the telephone and demands money. These callers can be very persuasive, as it is their “job” to scam you. Do not try to argue with them; simply hang up on them.