If you receive a telephone call from a male caller claiming to be from the Lycoming County Sheriff’s Office telling you that you are being fined and to bring money to a specified location, you have been targeted by a scammer.

This week the Sheriff’s Office began receiving calls from county residents who have received phone calls at home, at work and on personal cell phones, from a male caller who had one of several messages for residents that he had targeted, according to a news release from Sheriff Mark Lusk’s office.

The caller might say: “I am from the Lycoming County Sheriff’s Office and a warrant has been issued for your ARREST”, also, “This is “Mark Lusk” with the Lycoming County Sheriff’s Office, you have outstanding fines and need to meet me to sign a bail piece” or “This is Scott Henry, Badge # and phone ” and you have charges for not showing up for Jury Duty saying you need to come to meet him at 48 West 3rd Street at a Kiosk to pay $1,000,or another is go to National Bank for 1 checks (that you would get reimbursed for) along with your odometer reading when you leave, the release stated. .

“The Lycoming County Sheriff’s Office recognizes this information and callers to be a scam,” said the statement from Lusk.

“Before you give anyone your personal information, always call the agency the caller purports to be. Do not meet with anyone to sign a “bail piece” or get them a check. The Office of The Sheriff does not conduct business in this manner,” he stressed

“In this case, please call the Office of Lycoming County Sheriff at 570.327-2280 to report any scam calls that you have received,” he said

The Sheriff offered these tips to keep from being the victim of a SCAM: under no circumstances should you ever provide any personal information by phone when receiving any calls unless the you personally know the caller; never provide any credit card information to anyone whom you do not personally know or with whom you have not initiated the call; note any telephone number of the caller, which is indicated on your telephone system; document the conversation with the suspect making the call; disconnect without providing any information to the caller.

After disconnecting, call the Sheriff’s Office at 570-327-2280 to find out if there would be a reason for them to contact you.

Again, Lusk stated, “The Office of Sheriff does not conduct business in this manner by telephone.”

Any residents who have already received calls similar to the ones described, are requested to call the Office of Lycoming County Sheriff to report the calls.

“Typically, criminals who are questioned by you will become very uncooperative,” Lusk said. . Criminals are able to access much of our personal information simply with the use of personal computers and websites, such as white pages and social media sites, that have our personal information.

“These series of scam attempts are currently being criminally investigated by the Lycoming County Sheriff’s Office and Detectives from the Office of Lycoming County District Attorney,” the release stated.

The Sheriff encouraged residents to share this information with friends, relatives and neighbors in an effort to prevent them from becoming a victim. Also report the scam calls to the Pennsylvania Attorney General at https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/submit-a-complaint/scams-complaint or telephone at: 717-787-3391, or call our office at the number above.

“As your Sheriff, I personally apologize to any residents who have received any such calls from any individuals in this attempt to commit fraud and possibly identity theft,” Lusk said.