Relentless scammers impersonating deputies, texting fake documents
Scammers claiming to be Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputies have been calling Clay County residents nonstop for the last month.
The scammers try to tell residents they missed jury duty or a court date and there is a warrant for their arrest. They say the resident cannot get off the phone with them and would be breaking a law by hanging up. They eventually tell residents they can avoid arrest by paying a “civil bond.” They will direct them to pay via a money transfer app or at a Bitcoin ATM.
Within the last month, the Sheriff’s Office also has received increased reports of the scammers texting fake documents to try to justify their claims, using information they find about residents online. Some examples are above. (Residents' names are redacted.) These are not what any legitimate Clay County Circuit Court documents look like.
Within the last two weeks, there also have been increasing reports of scammers spoofing the Sheriff’s Office’s main administrative phone number, 816-407-3750. If you have any questions about the legitimacy of the call you received, contact us directly at our non-emergency number, 816-407-3700.
Remember, deputies will never call to inform anyone they have a warrant for their arrest. Deputies will never call and demand money or say you have to stay on the phone. Missing jury duty is an offense punishable by a fine in Missouri, not arrest, and you would receive numerous communications from the court before that happens.
If you get contacted by one of these scammers, hang up.
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