[Archived] Alexandria Sheriff’s Office Warns of Phone Scam

Alexandria Sheriff’s Office Warns of Phone Scam

For Immediate Release: May 31, 2019

The Alexandria Sheriff’s Office is aware of a telephone scam targeting Virginia residents who are told they owe money for outstanding fines or to avoid an arrest.

Individuals have reported receiving phone calls from someone falsely claiming to be from the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office. In this scam, the caller claims that the intended victim owes money for overdue fines or must pay fees to nullify an arrest warrant. In addition to demanding payment and threatening arrest, the caller may also attempt to obtain personal information, credit card information, and/or bank account details. In some cases, the caller requests that funds be sent through digital transfers or payment apps.

The Alexandria Sheriff’s Office does not make such calls and will never request payment over the phone. If you receive such a call, immediately hang up. Do not provide the caller with any information and do not answer any questions, even if they threaten arrest.

Should you have any concerns, you may call the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office at 703.746.4114 to verify whether a deputy made such a call. If you are a victim of this scam and have been defrauded of money, please report it to the Alexandria Police Department by calling 703.746.4444 or to the law enforcement agency where you live.

For media inquiries, contact Amy Bertsch at amy.bertsch@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.5014.