The Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a telephone scam. The 911 Communications Center has received complaints today about a person calling on behalf of the court system.

The caller’s number may appear as 434-677-6853. The caller will identify himself as from the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office and will tell you that the call is being recorded for quality assurance.

The caller will ask for the person who lives at your residence and will use the correct name of the person who resides in your home. The caller will tell you that the person asked for has missed a court date and because of that, a Failure to Appear warrant has been issued by a Judge.

The caller will also give instructions on the process of sending payment so you will not have to report to the Sheriff’s Office. This is a fraudulent call. If you receive a telephone call claiming you’ve missed a court date, it’s important to be cautious, as it could very well be a scam.

Here are some best practices to follow:
1. Don’t Provide Personal Information: Never give out your personal details, Social Security number, financial information, or payment details over the phone. Scammers often ask for this information under the guise of urgent legal issues.

2. Hang Up: If the call sounds suspicious, hang up immediately. Legitimate legal institutions will not make urgent demands or threats over the phone.

3. Verify the Claim: If the caller claims to be from a legitimate organization (like a court or law enforcement agency), call the organization directly using a verified phone number (from their official website or documents you have) to confirm the claim.

4. Do Not Trust Caller ID: Scammers can fake the caller ID to make it appear as if the call is coming from a legitimate source (like a government or court office).

5. Ask for Details in Writing: If they claim you missed a court date, ask for any official communication in writing. A legitimate organization will send you a formal letter, not just a phone call.

6. Report the Scam: If you suspect a scam, report it to your local authorities or consumer protection agency. In the U.S., for example, you can report scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

7. Look for Red Flags: Scammers often use high-pressure tactics, such as threats of arrest, fines, or imprisonment, to get you to act quickly. This is a major warning sign that something may not be legitimate.

Staying skeptical of unsolicited calls can help you avoid falling victim to scams.