Vanceburg Police Chief Joe Paul Gilbert is cautioning local residents about an ongoing telephone scam in which callers falsely claim the person has “grand jury charges” pending against them and must pay immediately to avoid arrest or further legal trouble.
Chief Gilbert said the department has received reports of area residents being contacted by individuals who identify themselves as law enforcement officers, court officials, or government agents. In some cases, the scammers may use the names of real agencies or local offices to sound more convincing.
“In these calls, the scammer tells the resident there are serious charges pending against them and the only way to stay out of trouble is to pay a fine or fee right away,” Chief Gilbert said. “They often demand payment by gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, or mobile payment apps. This is a textbook scam.”
Common Red Flags
Chief Gilbert urged residents to be on the lookout for the following warning signs:
- Threats of arrest, jail, or immediate legal action if you do not pay right away.
- Demands for payment over the phone, especially by gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfer, or payment apps.
- Pressure to act immediately, telling you not to hang up or call anyone else.
- Requests for personal or financial information, such as Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, or credit card details.
- Instructions to keep the call secret and not tell family members or your bank.
- Caller ID “spoofing,” where the number appears to come from a local office or government agency.
“No legitimate law enforcement agency or court will call you and demand payment over the phone to avoid arrest or ‘clear up charges,’” Chief Gilbert said. “They do not take gift cards as payment, ever.”
How to Protect Yourself
The Vanceburg Police Department offers the following tips to avoid becoming a victim:
- Hang up immediately if you receive a suspicious call of this nature.
- Do not provide any personal or financial information over the phone.
- Do not send money or buy gift cards in response to a call, text, or email demanding urgent payment.
- Verify the claims independently by calling the agency’s publicly listed number, not the number provided by the caller.
- Talk to a trusted family member, friend, or your bank before taking any action.
Reporting the Scam
Residents who receive a call like this should:
- Document the call if possible, including the phone number, time, date, and what was said.
- Report it to the Vanceburg Police Department at 606-796-3044 – or in person.
- You may also report the scam to the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
“We would rather you call us and find out it’s a scam than lose your hard-earned money to a criminal,” Chief Gilbert said. “If you’re unsure, hang up and contact us directly.”
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