The Boone County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to stay alert as scammers continue targeting individuals in the community through a variety of deceptive tactics designed to create fear, urgency, and confusion.
Officials say these scams are often used to trick victims into sending money or sharing personal information, and they are reminding residents that legitimate agencies and businesses will never pressure individuals into immediate payment or sensitive disclosures.
Among the most common scams currently being reported is the “tech support” scam, where pop-up messages or alerts appear on a computer claiming the device is infected or compromised. Victims are instructed to call a provided phone number, where scammers may request remote access or payment to “fix” the issue. Authorities stress that reputable companies do not use alarming pop-ups demanding immediate action or payment.
Another frequently reported scheme involves individuals impersonating law enforcement or sheriff’s office personnel. Scammers may claim the victim missed jury duty, has an outstanding warrant, or owes fines, then demand payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, cash apps, or wire transfers. The Boone County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that it will never demand payment over the phone or threaten immediate arrest for failure to pay.
Officials are also warning about “accidental deposit” scams, where a fraudster sends money to a victim and then requests it be returned. The original payment is often fraudulent, leaving the victim responsible for the funds once the transaction is reversed.
Residents are encouraged to follow several safety tips to protect themselves, including avoiding pressure tactics, refusing payment requests involving gift cards, and never sharing personal or banking information with unknown callers or contacts. Officials also advise against clicking suspicious links or responding to pop-up warnings and recommend verifying any questionable claims by contacting organizations directly using official phone numbers.
Anyone who believes they may have been targeted by a scam or has already shared personal information is urged to contact local law enforcement immediately.
The Boone County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging residents to share this information widely to help prevent fraud and keep the community safe.