Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Warns Residents of Phone Scam Using Sheriff’s Name

The Columbus County Sheriff's Office issued a warning on Wednesday. Scammers have been impersonating Sheriff Bill Rogers in phone calls. These fraudsters ask about home security accounts. The agency received several reports from citizens who got calls from someone pretending to be Rogers.

Rogers won't call residents asking about home security accounts. Nobody from the agency will contact you seeking personal account data, security system specifics, passwords, or payment details over the phone.

Scammers often use familiar names to trick people. They spoof local numbers. They use official-sounding words to make calls seem real. The fake calls have targeted residents throughout the county.

The agency told residents what to do if they receive suspicious calls. Don't give out personal information. Don't share account details. Hang up right away. Don't call back the numbers the callers provide.

Anyone unsure whether a call is real can contact the office to check. The warning comes as phone scams using law enforcement names continue targeting communities across the state.

Law enforcement agencies throughout North Carolina have seen similar schemes in recent months. Scammers pose as deputies, sheriffs, or other officials to steal personal data from unsuspecting residents.

The office stressed that real law enforcement will never ask for sensitive financial information over the phone. They won't request security details this way. Officials urge residents to stay cautious when receiving unexpected calls, even if the caller ID displays a local number or official name.

Residents can reach the office at its main line to verify any calls claiming to come from the department. The agency continues investigating the source of the fraudulent calls and works with other law enforcement to stop the scheme.