MCTX Sheriff Warns Residents of Scam Calls

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX -- The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office issues a warning regarding telephone scams targeting Montgomery County residents.

Scammers are posing as employees of the Sheriff's Office by name and calling citizens to demand payment. The scammer, who is providing various scenarios, is demanding payment to avoid being arrested. The scammer instructs the victim to purchase Bitcoin or gift cards. The scammer uses a technique called "spoofing" to make it seem like the call is coming from the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office phone number, so be careful and don't fall for it. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office advises anyone who receives this type of call to hang up and verify.

Another telephone scam that has been circulating is scam callers contacting residents, claiming they are either with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office or an employee of a bonding company. The scam caller will contact an incarcerated individual's family member or friend and advise them that they need money to post their family/friend's bond. Scammers often provide a CashApp, Zelle, Venmo, or other money transfer app as a payment option. Once the money has been transferred, the scammer deactivates the account and phone number they used.

Anyone who receives this type of call is encouraged to ignore them. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office WILL NOT call and request that you transfer funds.

Many bonding companies will post their CashApp, Zelle, Venmo, etc., account information on their website so the account can be verified before transferring funds. If you receive a call from someone who identifies as an employee of a bonding company, you can contact the bonding company's published phone number to verify their identity.

It is important to note that the Sheriff's Office WILL NEVER call and request that you transfer funds to pay fines or fees over the phone. Here are some additional tips to remember regarding these types of scams:

-Be wary if you are being asked to act immediately. Scammers typically try to push you into action before you have time to think.
-The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office never calls or emails citizens to advise them of paying fines or fees.
-Never send money, account information, or gift card information to someone over the phone.
-To ensure you are truly speaking to a member of the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, you should hang up and contact the main number directly, 936-760-5800 option 3, and then ask to speak to the law enforcement officer who called you.