Allen County Sheriff Warns Residents About Rise in Scam Calls

Allen County Sheriff Matthew Treglia is warning residents about an increase in scam activity targeting members of Allen County.

The sheriff said it is extremely important for residents to understand that any request for payment in Bitcoin, gift cards, or other unconventional forms of payment is a scam.

He said if you have a warrant for your arrest, law enforcement must serve that warrant in person, and you will never be asked to pay money over the phone to avoid arrest.

Since scammers can spoof phone numbers, including the Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line, residents should remain cautious and verify suspicious calls directly with the office.

If you are instructed not to contact an attorney, not to speak with family members, or to remain on the phone while purchasing Bitcoin or gift cards, it is a scam, because legitimate law enforcement agencies will never make these demands.

Before taking any action, contact the Allen County Sheriff’s Office directly if you ever question the legitimacy of a phone call, letter, or message claiming to be from law enforcement.