On Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 5, Guilford County Sheriff Danny Rogers held a press conference to remind people during the holiday season of a message that most have heard before: Buying a Walmart gift card and giving the code to the Sheriff’s Department won’t keep you from being arrested.

Scammers asking you to buy gift cards and give them the code off the back is a con as old as the hills; however, Rogers and others in his department haven’t taken kindly to the fact that, in recent years, and especially in recent weeks, those types of scammers are playing themselves off as members of the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department.

At the press conference, Rogers urged county residents to remain extra vigilant as scammers ramp up their efforts during the holiday season. He detailed how fraudsters are targeting people using fake calls, texts and letters – often claiming to be deputies from the Sheriff’s Office and demanding money to avoid arrest.

The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, Rogers emphasized, will not call you asking for money or gift card codes to keep you out of legal hot water.

  “If there’s a subpoena, a missed court date, or a warrant for your arrest, we will never ask for any payment—no cashier’s checks, gift cards, Bitcoin or anything like that,” he said.

Rogers warned that these scams have become increasingly prevalent in recent weeks, with more than 15 cases being reported since Thanksgiving. Victims have been told, for instance, that they must pay to avoid jail time.

“Let me be clear: neither I nor any of our deputies will ever call you asking for money. These calls are scams,” he said at the press conference held outside the Sheriff’s Office’s administrative headquarters in downtown Greensboro.

The sheriff also highlighted some specific ways scammers are targeting individuals, including using spoofed phone numbers that appear to come from local area codes.

 “If you don’t recognize a number, don’t answer,” Rogers advised. “Let them leave a message. If it’s important, they’ll text or leave a voicemail.”

In addition to phone and text scams, Rogers warned about fraudulent letters claiming recipients owe money or have won prizes. He urged everyone to always double-check the legitimacy of those types of communications.

“If you get a letter like that, reach out to your local law enforcement agency before doing anything,” he said.

According to Rogers, it’s especially important to be vigilant when using ATMs at this time of year and he also cautioned people to inspect credit card readers for signs of tampering, such as fake card readers placed over legitimate ones.

“We’re here to protect you, not hurt you,” Rogers said. “If you have doubts about any call, text, or letter, don’t hesitate to contact the Sheriff’s Office. We’ll verify the information for you.”

Rogers said at the press conference that the recent uptick in scams has been frustrating for both county residents and law enforcement officers.

“Since Thanksgiving, I’ve personally received seven reports, and it’s upsetting to see people lose their hard-earned money,” he said.

“This community means everything to me, and we’re committed to ensuring your safety and security,” Rogers said. “Right now, scammers are trying to take advantage of you. Don’t give them the opportunity.”

Rogers concluded the press conference by inviting the community to the department’s annual tree-lighting ceremony on Friday, Dec. 13th, at 5:30 p.m. at the Otto Zenke building at 400 W. Washington St. in downtown Greensboro.  He described the event as an opportunity for everyone to come together during the holiday season.

If you need to report suspicious activity you think might be a scam, you are encouraged to call the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office at 336-641-3694.

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