Phone scam targets residents in Rensselaer County

TROY, NY — The Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a resurgence of a phone scam in which callers impersonate sheriff’s deputies.

The sheriff’s office has received reports of individuals receiving calls from a number that appears on caller ID as “Rensselaer County.”

The caller falsely claims to be a sheriff’s deputy and tells the victim they failed to appear for jury duty and now have a warrant out for their arrest.

The scammer then pressures the victim to resolve the situation immediately by paying a fee.

Scammers may instruct victims to send money through Cash App, money orders, cryptocurrency or gift cards.

The sheriff’s office will never call residents regarding jury duty, will never call about an active warrant and will never request payment over the phone or demand money in any form.

Residents who receive one of these calls should hang up immediately and not provide any personal or financial information.