Phone scam targets residents in Upper St. Clair

UPPER ST. CLAIR, PA — The Upper St. Clair Police Department is warning residents about a phone scam in which callers falsely claim to be with the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office.

Police said the scammers tell victims they have an arrest warrant for failing to appear in court.

The callers instruct victims to stay on the line until they turn themselves in or pay a fine over the phone to resolve the issue, according to police.

Scammers may also offer to transfer victims to another officer to verify the call, police said.

Police are advising residents to hang up immediately if they receive such a call.

Authorities said any request for payment via gift card, prepaid card or electronic payment methods for a legal issue is a scam.

Police warned that scammers can spoof caller ID to make it appear the call is coming from the Sheriff’s Office or a 412-350 phone number.

Residents should never give out financial or personal information over the phone, police said.

Anyone who never received a summons by mail should ignore the phone call or hang up and call the agency in question to confirm, according to police.

Police said missing court for any reason is not a felony but a contempt of court issue that would require a court appearance for a fine to be imposed.

Government agencies do not conduct business via text message, police said.