VERONA, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office is warning of a phone scam from numbers spoofing the Sheriff’s Office and the county Circuit Court. Sheriff Donald Smith posts on social media:

“Over the past several weeks, citizens in Augusta County have been receiving calls from different spoofed numbers appearing to be the ACSO, and the Augusta County Circuit Court. The SCAM call states that there is an active arrest warrant for you or that you missed court and you need to post bail. The caller is instructing you to deposit money through CashApp, Bitcoin, or purchase prepaid cards. All of these types of calls are ABSOLUTELY SCAM calls. DO NOT give out any personal information or bank account information, wire money, transfer money to another account or get gift cards or money orders for anyone that calls claiming to be Law Enforcement or from a Local, State or Federal Government Agencies. Government agencies will NEVER call asking for this kind of information nor provide instructions for wiring or depositing monies. Once this money is transferred or deposited, it is most likely out of the country and is unable to be recovered. Law Enforcement is unable to trace where the money went or be able to recover the funds.

These scam calls are also targeting registered sex offenders demanding immediate payment in lieu of being arrested. This is also a scam! If you receive a call such as any listed above, and you question the legitimacy of the call, please call the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office at 540-245-5333. We will help you determine how to resolve the situation without payment. This information has been provided to the community numerous times in the past, please be mindful and do not be tricked by these tactics.”