Full Notification

Sheriff’s Office Warns of Telephone Scams



The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office is warning against a new twist to telephone scams that is now being used against the citizens of McHenry County, in which scammers misrepresent themselves as either government officials or persons associated with the Sheriff’s Office. They will then request money be paid using pre-paid gift cards, debit cards, or wire transfers.

Residents have reported receiving telephone calls from either an unknown number or one that appears to be from a legitimate government agency. The scammer states that he is a government employee or deputy sheriff and threatens the resident with arrest if they don’t provide funds via prepaid gift cards. Targeted residents include those who have ongoing cases in the McHenry County court system or who have had cases in the past.

The Sheriff’s Office strongly urges all residents to never provide money or personal information via telephone. Cards specifically mentioned include Green Dot, Wal-Mart, Google Play, and I-Tunes gift cards and the scammers offer to provide card information via telephone.

Government and law enforcement agencies will never call people and threaten arrest if money is not forthcoming.

These scams are being perpetrated by very sophisticated, organized criminal organizations and are nearly impossible to track. If you do receive such a call, we suggest you hang up and notify your local Police Department immediately.