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DAWSON, Ga. (WALB) – The Dawson Police Department is warning residents about a phone scam involving a caller falsely claiming to be “Lt. Williams” from the department.

Several citizens have reported receiving these calls, in which the scammer demands payment for a missed court date or unpaid fines — threatening jail time if payment is not made.

Police stress that no one from the Dawson Police Department has made or will ever make phone calls demanding payment in lieu of jail time.

This scam is part of a broader fraud tactic where scammers impersonate law enforcement or court officials. These fraudsters claim the victim has missed jury duty or a court appearance and that an arrest warrant has been issued. Victims are then pressured to make immediate payments using untraceable methods such as gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Some scammers even spoof phone numbers to make it appear as though the call is coming from a legitimate agency.

How to protect yourself:

• Don’t trust unsolicited calls: Legitimate law enforcement agencies will never demand payment over the phone.
• Verify information: If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and contact the court or agency directly using an official number.
• Never share personal or financial information: Do not provide Social Security numbers, dates of birth, or payment details to unknown callers.
• Report the scam: File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and notify your local law enforcement agency.

The Dawson Police Department urges all residents to stay vigilant and spread awareness to protect others from falling victim to these scams.

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