Pickens County Sheriff’s Office Warns of Sophisticated Impersonation Scams

The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) is urging residents to be vigilant against an increase in sophisticated scams where individuals impersonating “PCSO Deputies” demand money to avoid arrest. These fraudsters are reportedly spoofing PCSO phone numbers and using real deputy names to appear legitimate. The PCSO emphasizes that no legitimate law enforcement agency will ever demand money through an ATM, text message link, or phone call for outstanding warrants or fines. The scams are often multi-state and international, making prosecution challenging. In addition to these calls, the PCSO warns of other circulating scams involving text messages claiming unpaid tolls or DMV tickets with links to resolve fees. If you receive any suspicious contact, the PCSO advises you to call their main office directly at (864) 898-5500 to verify its legitimacy before providing any money or personal information, as lost funds are often unrecoverable.