The Sheriff Is Calling... Or Is It?

Protect yourself

Caller ID can be faked. Never send money to avoid an alleged arrest. Verify through your local sheriff's official number.

How it works

Someone claiming to be a deputy says a suspicious package was seized in your name. Pay a fine now or face arrest!

The caller ID often shows the real sheriff's office number, and the scammer may use the name of a real deputy taken from the department's website.

Red flags

A "fine" that must be paid before you can see any paperwork
Threats of arrest if you hang up or call someone
A real officer's name paired with a request for money

If it already happened

If you already paid or gave access: hang up and call your bank from the number on your card to stop or reverse the payment, change any password you read out, and if you installed software or granted remote control, disconnect the computer and call your IT provider. Report the call at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Where OpenEFA fits

Email filtering can't stop a phone call. The defense here is a habit: hang up, and call back on a number you already trust.

Scam Watch No. 02 · EFA Security · efasecurity.com/scam-watch/ · Print this page and post it where your team will see it.

No. 01: Missed Court Date? Don't Pay! No. 03: Your Bank Account Is Under Attack!

Part of the OpenEFA MailGuard Scam Watch series. Published October 21, 2026 by the EFA Security team. Share it freely; a link back is appreciated.

At a glance

Type: Phone Scam
Channel: Phone Scams (Vishing)
They want: Money, usually by gift card, wire or cash app, or remote access to your computer
One rule: Real deputies don't collect fines by phone.

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All 24 alerts

Phone, email and text message scams, each on one page.

Scam Watch index