Local police have been receiving calls from residents who believe someone is trying to scam them. The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office believes the incidents are likely connected.
According to sheriff’s spokeswoman Gena Bilbo, the scam starts with a phone call.
The callers may identify themselves as people working with the Magistrate Court, then say the person answering the phone has been caught on a red light camera and has a warrant out for his or her arrest. The caller then says that to stop the warrant, the calltaker must sign up for a credit card and put a specified dollar amount on it. The calltaker is asked to give the caller the code on the back of the card so the money can be accessed and the warrant stopped.
Several years ago, the sheriff’s office was contacted about a similar scam in which the caller claimed to be a lieutenant with the department. Calltakers were told that to get their loved ones out of jail, they needed to put money on a card. Bilbo said the scam was perpetrated in several Georgia counties and nearby states.
At no time would anyone from the courts or the sheriff’s office call and advise residents to put money on a card in lieu of a warrant or to get someone out of jail, Bilbo said.
A red light ticket will come directly to the address on the vehicle’s registration and will have a photograph of the vehicle running the red light. To get someone out of jail, bond must be paid and paperwork signed.
If any resident has a question about a ticket given by Savannah-Chatham police, call the department at 912-652-3100. For red light tickets, call 525-3100 extension 1570. For information about the county jail, call 912-652-7700.