Scam Calls Target Families, Officials Amid Kerr County Flood Tragedy

Various sheriff's offices across the U.S. are warning the public about scam calls that impersonate law enforcement to extort money from victims. In Lucas County, Ohio, and Johnson County, Illinois, scammers use spoofed caller IDs and claim missed court dates or outstanding fines to coerce payments, prompting officials to advise hanging up and verifying calls directly with the sheriff's office. In Kerr County, Texas, the recent devastating floods have been compounded by scammers targeting grieving families of victims, falsely claiming to have information about missing loved ones and demanding money, which has overwhelmed missing person hotlines and complicated rescue operations. Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice described the emotional toll on families and the operational strain on officials due to hundreds of fraudulent calls. The death toll from the floods has reached 75, with several individuals still unaccounted for, and officials are focusing on locating victims and notifying next of kin amid these challenges. Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant, avoid sharing personal information, and report suspicious calls to help mitigate these scams.