Burke County residents face a new threat from scammers who’ve traded their Nigerian prince costumes for fake police badges.
🚨 What We Know: Criminals are burning up phone lines across Burke County, pretending to be sheriff’s deputies. They’re threatening residents with arrests unless they fork over cash payments. The scammers are using the phone number 706-786-2428 to run their scheme.
👮 Why It Matters: These con artists prey on people’s fear of law enforcement to steal money. The Burke County Sheriff’s Office wants residents to know real deputies never demand payment over the phone – not for fines, not for warrants, not for anything.
⚠️ Take Action: If you get one of these calls:
- Hang up immediately
- Don’t share personal information
- Don’t send money
- Report the call to the real sheriff’s office at 706-544-2133
🎯 Why This Should Catch Your Attention: These scammers are getting craftier, using local phone numbers and law enforcement terminology to seem legitimate. They’re counting on panic to override your common sense.
🤝 Remember The Golden Rule: Share this warning with elderly neighbors and relatives who might be more vulnerable to these tactics. A five-minute conversation could save someone from becoming a victim.
🔄 What’s Next: The sheriff’s office continues investigating these calls. Meanwhile, deputies urge residents to spread the word about this scam throughout the community.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
