MEDIA RELEASE__Allen County Residents,

Unfortunately, Allen County has recently seen an increase in scam activity targeting members of our community. It is extremely important for residents to understand that any request for payment in Bitcoin, gift cards, or other unconventional forms of payment is a scam. Please do not fall victim to these schemes.

Please remember the following:

• If you have a warrant for your arrest, law enforcement must serve that warrant in person. You will never be asked to pay money over the phone to avoid arrest or “pay a fee in lieu of jail time.” These claims are fraudulent.
• If you receive a call from the Allen County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line, the caller ID will display 419-227-3535. Scammers can spoof phone numbers, so remain cautious and verify suspicious calls directly with our office.
• If you are instructed not to contact an attorney, not to speak with family members, or to remain on the phone while purchasing Bitcoin or gift cards, it is a scam. Legitimate law enforcement agencies will never make these demands.

I cannot stress this enough: please protect your hard-earned money and personal information. If you ever question the legitimacy of a phone call, letter, or message claiming to be from law enforcement, contact the Allen County Sheriff’s Office directly before taking any action.

Please also share this information with your family, friends, and neighbors of all ages so they can remain informed and protected.

Stay safe,

Matthew B. Treglia
Sheriff, Allen County