Don’t Fall for the Call
Denton County Authorities Warn of Rising Phone Scams
If it feels like your phone has been ringing more than usual lately, you’re not alone. Denton County residents have reported an increase in spam and scam calls, with many appearing to come from local numbers. These “spoofed” calls often look legitimate, making it harder to tell what’s real and what’s not.
Recently, the Denton County Sheriff’s Office and the Lewisville Police Department were used by scammers to attempt to scare individuals into paying them money related to purported outstanding warrants for missing jury duty. These individuals have been reported to use the names of current employees when communicating with their targets.
Neither the police or sheriff’s department will never engage in soliciting payments over the phone from residents. The same principle applies to any department within Denton County.
The State Attorney General’s Office offers these five signs to look for to avoid becoming a victim of scams:
1. They contacted you
When you contact a business, you know who’s on the other end of the line. But when someone contacts you first, you can’t be certain they’re telling the truth. You don’t know if they are who they say they are. And remember, email addresses and caller ID information can be faked.
2. They dangle bait (good like money or bad like jail) or scare you
Let’s face it — people simply don’t give away large sums of money easily. If someone dangles bait in front of you for nothing, like a big prize, a shopping spree, or an easy loan, they’re probably lying. Same is true if they’re trying to scare you by saying there’s a warrant for your arrest.
3. They want your personal information
Anytime anyone asks for your personal information — bank accounts, social security number, etc. — you should be on alert. Don’t give it away quickly or easily, especially to someone you don’t know. You may become a victim of identity theft.
4. You are asked to pay them first
If someone offers you a prize, debt relief, or employment — but first you have to pay an upfront fee to get it — you’re probably being scammed.
5. You are asked to wire money or send gift cards
If you’re about to wire money or send gift cards to someone to receive a prize, clear up a warrant, or pay off a debt collector that contacts you … STOP! This may be a scammer trying to take your money.
So what can you do to protect yourself?
Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers if you’re unsure. Let them go to voicemail. If it’s important, the caller will leave a message. Never provide personal information — such as your Social Security number, banking details, or passwords — over the phone unless you initiated the call to a verified number.
Consider registering your number with the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov, and use your phone carrier’s built-in spam filtering tools. Many smartphones also allow you to silence unknown callers automatically.
If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately. You can report scams to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov and notify the Denton County Sheriff’s Office if the call appears to impersonate a local authority.
Staying informed and cautious is the best defense. A healthy dose of skepticism can go a long way in keeping your personal information — and your peace of mind — safe.
The Lewisville Police Department notes that residents with cases in our Municipal Court system may receive calls from our Warrant Division regarding an open case and options to resolve it. Our Warrant Officers are full fledged police officers
and will gladly provide their name and badge number.
If anyone calls claiming to be an officer:
• Ask for their department, name, and badge number.
• Hang up.
• Call that department’s official non emergency number to verify the officer’s credentials before talking to them.
Stay safe. Be vigilant. Be aware.
