BURGAW — If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be an employee of the Pender County Sheriff’s Office, think twice.
The Pender County Sheriff’s Office has received several phone calls from citizens in the community who say they are targets of a phone scam.
“The caller identifies themselves as an employee of the Pender County Sheriff’s Office and tells the victim that they have failed to appear on a subpoena,” Captain James Rowell said in a release on Friday morning.
He said the Sheriff’s Office has heard of instances where the caller identifies as a command staff-level employee and then requests the individual to either show up in person at the Pender Sheriff’s Office or to contact a specific member of the office by phone.
“One reported instance the caller requested money be sent to handle the missed appearance under subpoena,” Rowell said.
He urged residents to be aware of and report similar phone calls.
“We want to remind community members that law enforcement officers will not contact you via telephone and request that you make any type of payment over the phone,” Rowell said. “If you receive a call similar to the ones listed above, please notify your local law enforcement agency.”
