GASTONIA––It’s a nationwide problem, and it often affects the most vulnerable.

The proliferation of telephone scams, with perpetrators impersonating law-enforcement personnel, has become common across the country in recent years. And on the local level, Gaston County Sheriff Chad Hawkins is warning folks to be aware of these scammers, who are especially notorious for making specific targets of elderly residents.

“We continue to hear reports of scammers impersonating our deputies and other law-enforcement officers,” said Hawkins. “This is a reminder to never give out personal or payment information over the ’phone. Just hang up!”

The sheriff continued that these local scammers will often use the real names of actual Gaston County Sheriff’s Office employees to gain the trust of their targets in these cases of brazen confidence trickery. However, as Hawkins emphasized, Gaston County Sheriff’s Office personnel will never:

·         call you stating that they have a warrant for your arrest;

·         ask for payment over the telephone;

·         ask that you meet a deputy in a parking lot (This a common ploy of con artists. It’s very dangerous, possibly even deadly, and you need to be aware of this despicable modus operandi.);

·         or ask you to buy gift cards in exchange for not going to jail.

If you encounter this type of scam or something similar, Hawkins urges you to immediately call the sheriff’s office at (704) 869-6854.