On March 17, 2023, a Poplarville resident was scammed for over the phone for a large sum of money. following the incident, the Poplarville Police Department released this statement on Facebook

“A new scam going around involves a phone call in which the caller ID will show as Poplarville Police Department. The caller will advise the individual that they have warrants for their arrest and need to go to the Poplarville Police Station to meet with an attorney. However, the caller will strongly recommend that the individual call another number: possibly 512-588-5990. This is the actual phone number for U.S. Legal Support, a law firm based in New York. However, the call is redirected to another location where an individual attempts to persuade the intended victim to pay a certain amount of money, usually with a gift card, to invalidate the warrant. These kinds of criminals use apps and spoofing software to conceal their actual phone number(s).”

With apps now offering easy tools for disguising a caller ID, scam calls are becoming more relevant. Luckily this is the only report the department has received. Still, they want to inform their citizens of the possible rising situation. Chad Dorn advised if you feel you’re being scammed, call the police department. (+1 601-795-4447).

The Facebook Posted ended by saying,

“Police Departments do not pursue individuals with warrants by phone calls, nor do police departments have on-duty attorneys. If you should receive such a call – hang up. DO NOT disclose any personal information or press any numbers on your phone to access a menu.
If you receive such a phone call, please notify the Poplarville Police Department and advise them of what is going on. DON’T BE A VICTIM,”

The Pearl River County Sheriffs Office also released this Press Release stating:

Scammers are calling citizens and stating that they are Deputy Shane Edgar with the sheriffs office. The scammer is advising the citizen to purchase gift cards to pay a fine. They scammer says you will have an arrest warrant issued for their arrest if they don’t comply.

The scammer is using Sheriff Deputies names. Pleas be advised the Sheriffs Office will not make calls to collect fines.