PHONE SCAM: Fake Deputy “Sergeant Russo” Tries to Extort Money

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The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office has received multiple reports of attempted telephone fraud involving a caller claiming to be a Sheriff’s Deputy.
The caller, who identified himself as “Sergeant Russo” or “Sergeant Rizzo”, claimed that someone in the household had a warrant for their arrest. The caller knew the correct name of the resident, but did not appear to possess any personally identifiable information. The caller attempted to get the victim to pay a fee in order to have the warrant rescinded.

The Sheriff’s Office does not solicit the payment of fines or fees on behalf of the court. Area residents are advised to treat any unsolicited caller who requests payment or access to personally identifiable information with extreme skepticism, regardless of who the caller claims to represent. When in doubt get the caller’s name, hang up, and then call the business or government entity back at a phone number you know to be correct.

Pictured above: SSGT. Luther Rizzo from the TV show M*A*S*H, as portrayed by Actor G. W. Bailey. Image copyright 20th Century Fox Television.