Multiple Agencies Warn About Phone Scam Schemes

Multiple law enforcement agencies across the U.S. are warning the public about a surge in phone scams where scammers impersonate officials to extract personal information or money. In Lubbock, Texas, a woman is impersonating a police lieutenant, claiming to investigate a fraud case and requesting bank account details. Similarly, the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office has reported scammers posing as deputies demanding payment to avoid arrest, often using methods like Bitcoin and gift cards. The U.S. District Court for Southern Indiana has also alerted residents to scammers threatening legal consequences for failing to appear as expert witnesses. In Ohio, the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections cautioned against scammers posing as staff members soliciting funds for inmate releases. Advocacy groups like CitizenWatch in the Philippines argue that rather than amending SIM registration laws, the government should focus on enhancing law enforcement capabilities to combat these scams.