The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office along with other law enforcement agencies in Hamilton County have received numerous complaints over the last several weeks from citizens concerning the latest “Green Dot Card Scam.” Victims are being contacted by phone from a party who will tell the victim they have failed to appear in court on a warrant, or failed to appear for jury duty and direct them to go to WalMart or Rite Aid and purchase a Green Dot Card for a designated amount of money. The victim is then advised to call the imposter back and provide him with the numbers shown on the card. The scam artist will then, using the numbers from the card provided by the victim, remove the cash value on the green dot card.

The HCSO does NOT follow up on outstanding warrants in this fashion nor threaten someone with being arrested if they fail to appear for jury duty. The standard practice for outstanding warrants is to contact the person and coordinate with them to either turn themselves in at the jail or Detectives assigned to the Fugitive Division will physically apprehend the individual. It seems these people who are attempting to scam innocent people are specifically targeting the elderly. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office urges families who have elderly members make sure they are aware of the scams going on around our area and advise them to NEVER send money, and immediately contact law enforcement.

If anyone receives a phone call from a person representing themselves as law enforcement or court official and asking the person to obtain a “Green Dot Card” or anyone having knowledge of the identity of those perpetrating this scam, are asked to immediately contact the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office at 423-209-8940.