WASHINGTON CO. SHERIFF WARNS OF SCAMMERS IMPERSONATING LAW ENFORCEMENT

  

Washington County Sheriff Otto Hanak is warning residents of scam callers who are pretending to be local law enforcement officials and threatening arrest unless they receive payment.

Hanak said the sheriff’s office was notified this (Friday) morning that an elderly couple was called by someone claiming to be Washington County Jail Chief Deputy Eric Hensley.  The scammer told the couple they would be arrested unless they purchased gift cards for the caller.  Hanak said they did so and lost “a significant amount of money.”

Hanak cautioned citizens to always be wary of who is calling them, especially if it is an unknown number.

 

Anyone who is suspicious of a phone call where the caller identifies as someone from the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration or a financial institution they are not familiar with can notify the sheriff’s office or police, who can make a general inquiry as to whether the call is legitimate.

 

The sheriff’s office can be contacted at 979-277-6251.  The Brenham Police Department can be reached at 979-337-7337.