LEWISBURG W.Va. (WVDN) – Bart Baker, Sheriff of Greenbrier County, is warning residents of an increase in scam phone calls that are targeting individuals in the surrounding areas. The fraudulent calls, which often impersonate trusted entities such as law enforcement officers, utility companies and government agencies, are intended to steal money and personal information from unsuspecting victims. According to the sheriff, this problem has been happening for months, if not longer.
Baker stated that scammers have become more sophisticated, using high-pressure and fear-based tactics to trick people into giving up their money or sensitive details. Callers often claim to represent organizations like the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), local utility companies or even the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department, threatening legal action, service disconnection or arrest unless immediate payment is made. Other scammers may make promises of fake prizes, lottery winnings or investments, hoping to convince the recipient to share their financial details. Baker said, “If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.”
“These scammers are very convincing. They use fear tactics and urgency to manipulate people into acting without thinking,” said Sheriff Baker. “They know how to make the calls sound legitimate, and unfortunately, many people fall victim to these scams.” Baker wants everyone to do their due diligence in finding out about these calls. He insists people call their friends or families to ask questions. He also stated, “We are here for anyone to call and ask about a suspicious phone call or text. Please call us and ask questions.”
The most common types of scams, according to Sheriff Baker, are impersonations of IRS agents who claim the victim owes back taxes and faces arrest unless an immediate payment is made. Similarly, fraudsters posing as utility company representatives warn of imminent service shutoffs unless a payment is made right away. In several cases, the victims have been threatened with arrest due to fees owed to the sheriff’s department. They have also been threatened with arrest for outstanding warrants. “If we want to get you for a warrant, we will show up at your door. We aren’t going to call and make threats,” said Baker.
Baker also noted that scammers often use caller ID spoofing to make it appear as though their calls are coming from local numbers or official organizations, which makes the scams even harder to recognize.
He stressed that legitimate businesses, including law enforcement and government agencies, will never demand payment over the phone without prior written communication or give ultimatums without providing ample time for the individual to verify the information. “If you receive a call that seems suspicious or too urgent, hang up and contact the organization directly using a phone number you know to be accurate,” Baker advised.
Sheriff Baker urges residents to be vigilant when answering unsolicited calls, especially if the caller demands money or personal information. He also reminded people that if they are unsure if a call is legitimate, the safest option is to hang up and independently verify the information by contacting the organization through an official phone number or website. They can also contact the sheriff’s office directly for advice at 304-647-6634.
In addition, Baker encouraged the public to report any scam calls to the Sheriff’s Department. Reporting these incidents helps authorities track patterns and prevent further scams, although he says there needs to be some form of federal oversight for these scammers and calls. Victims of phone scams should also consider reporting the fraud to their bank or credit card company and place a fraud alert on their credit report.
