Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office warns of phone scam targeting residents

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public about a recent phone scam involving callers pretending to be deputies or court officials.

According to the sheriff’s office, residents have reported receiving calls from scammers who claim the victim has been arrested, missed a court date or failed to appear for jury duty. The callers then demand immediate payment, saying the victim must cover fees, bond or court costs to avoid being re-arrested.

Deputies say the scammers are directing victims to pay through local retailers, often by:

• Buying gift cards such as Google Play, Apple or Visa
• Using wire or money transfer services
• Depositing cash into cryptocurrency kiosks or machines

The sheriff’s office says it will never ask for money or any form of payment over the phone. No law enforcement agency accepts bail, bond or court fees through gift cards, cryptocurrency or store payment systems.

Anyone who receives a call like this is urged to hang up immediately. To verify whether a legitimate issue exists, residents can contact the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office directly at (910) 253-2777.