SEMINOLE COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) — The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) is warning the community of a scam in the area. The scammer is reportedly demanding immediate payments and threatening to arrest people if they refuse to pay.

The sheriff’s office said they have gotten several reports of someone claiming to be the office’s administrative phone number, an employee or deputy with the agency. SCSO said scammers have sometimes even provided the real name of a deputy employed by the sheriff’s office.

According to the sheriff’s office, the scammer calls people saying that they have a warrant and demanding an immediate payment for a bond, many times insisting that the payment be sent through electronic payment services like CashApp.

SCSO said that they will never call to demand money; that they do not accept payments via CashApp, Venmo, wire transfers or gift cards; and they do not threaten to arrest people over the phone.

Scammers are more active than ever during the holidays, according to the sheriff’s office. SCSO provided the following tips to stay vigilant this holiday season:

• Do not share personal or financial information over the phone
• Do not send money or payment of any kind without verifying first
• Note that a familiar number does not guarantee legitimacy
• If something feels urgent, threatening or rushed, take a pause and question everything.
• Always verify by hanging up and contacting SCSO directly by calling (229) 524-5115, visiting their website or going to the office in person at 208 Court Street in Donalsonville.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2025 WALB. All rights reserved.