Local Scams

CAUTION!! SCAM ALERT!! – GRAND JURY PHONE SCAM has started again.

We have received multiple reports in reference to a phone scam. The person calls and tells the victim that he is with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and that the victim has missed jury duty and a warrant has been issued for their arrest. To prevent being arrested, they are told that they need to pay a fine by purchasing a pre-paid card at a local store and provide the numbers to the caller to confirm the funds.

Please be advised that these individuals DO NOT represent our agency and Sheriff’s Office DOES NOT conduct business in this manner. Once a warrant is written and signed by a judge, it will be served.

We DO NOT accept money, i.e. cash, Green Dot money pack, Western Union or otherwise for the disposal of a warrant. If you are faced with a situation similar to this it is best to hang up.

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The Columbia County Sheriff's Office wants to warn the public that there is an IRS scam currently in operation. The scammers pose as IRS agents and call victims to warn them that they are delinquent on their taxes. They then have the victims call a phone # and try to gain personal information from them and even threaten that the victim will be arrested if they don't pay the delinquent taxes.

This is a scam. DO NOT give out any personal information over the phone.

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The Lake City Police Department has become aware of a scam that is confirmed to have occurred locally.

The scammer approaches victims identify themselves as a traveling prophet and healer. They are primarily targeting elderly citizens that attend church. The scammers ask victims to open a bank account to support them and their church as they travel.

The suspects then deposit counterfeit "Mobile Deposit" checks. After the deposits are made the scammers asks the victim to make a withdrawal. The victim is held accountable when the checks are discovered later to be fake.

Please be aware of this scam and do not open bank accounts for others. Legitimate faith-based organizations have other means to collect income. If you encounter this scam, please call us immediately.