Houston Co. citizens scammed out of $10,000 in one week, sheriff says
HOUSTON COUNTY, Ala (WDHN) — Recently, the Houston County Sheriff’s Office has seen an uptick in scams involving the department.
Sheriff Donald Valenza says the scams involve someone calling citizens and claiming to be from the HCSO or the Dothan Police Department and using “scare tactics” to get them to pay for fake outstanding warrants.
The sheriff says the judicial system does not work that way in Houston County.
“We may knock on your door, or I may kick your door in, but we will not call you to tell you we have a warrant for your arrest,” said Sheriff Valenza. “Do not fall for this.”
Cpl. Brandon Barnes with the HCSO says that over the past week, citizens of Houston County have been scammed out of around $10,000, with one victim losing $8,500 after being told he missed jury duty and must pay to avoid being arrested.
According to Cpl. Barnes, the male victim was on the phone with the scammer for over an hour, and during that time, he withdrew the $8,500 from his bank, turned it into cryptocurrency at a Dothan ATM, and sent it to the unknown scammer.
“You commit crime in Houston County; there’s a good chance you’re gonna get caught,” said Cpl. Barnes. “We will use, with Sheriff Valenza’s support, every means and resources we have to find out who is behind the phone calls.”
Sheriff Valenza says his department will recommend the maximum punishment if and when the scammers are caught.
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