The Grant County Sheriff’s Office has issued a public fraud alert in response to a noticeable increase in scam activity affecting local residents. Sheriff Pete Roberts is urging the community to exercise caution when sharing personal or financial information, especially over the phone, by text message, or email.
According to reports received by the sheriff’s office, several residents have been targeted by text message scams demanding payment for supposed toll fees, unpaid tickets, or even claiming that the recipient’s license will be suspended or an arrest warrant issued unless immediate action is taken. In some cases, scammers posed as bank officials and instructed individuals to withdraw funds and convert them to cryptocurrency to avoid alleged internal investigations.
“These criminals often sound convincing and use familiar business logos to appear legitimate,” Sheriff Roberts said. “It can be difficult to tell truth from fiction with these scammers. If you’re not certain of who you are dealing with, whether it’s on the phone or by email or some other way, don’t provide your personal information.”
Sheriff Roberts advises contacting businesses directly using a known or previously verified number before taking any action involving money or sensitive information.
Scam Prevention Tips from the Sheriff’s Office:
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Avoid wiring money. There is no protection if the recipient is fraudulent.
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Never share personal or banking information via phone, email, or unsolicited inquiries. Always verify independently.
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Don’t send money to unknown individuals.
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Beware of prepaid or gift card requests. This is a red flag for scams.
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Research online sellers before purchasing products or services.
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Legitimate businesses will never ask for personal or financial information via email or text.
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If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
The Sheriff’s Office also encourages residents to report suspicious activity and educate themselves about common scam tactics. For more information on how to protect yourself and identify scams, visit the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office.
Residents with concerns can contact the Grant County Sheriff’s Office at 870-942-8925.
