Forsyth County Sheriff’s officials are warning residents not to be tricked into paying for bogus traffic tickets over the phone.
Sheriff’s spokesman Deputy Robin Regan said investigators have received numerous reports of residents being called and told that they have a warrant out for their arrest because of an outstanding fine or citation.
The person is then told to stay on the phone while going to a nearby store to buy prepaid cards of various amounts and read the card numbers to the scammers, authorities said.
The scammers also use technology that IDs the call as being from a law enforcement agency, Regan said.
“No law enforcement agency will ever call someone and ask for payment over the phone,” he said. “If something sounds suspicious, we recommend that you hang up and find a phone number in a phone book or online for that local agency. Do not call the number that (the scammers) provided.”
Regan said the investigation points to suspects already behind bars at various Georgia prisons, and detectives are attempting to get permission from prison officials for more information.
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