ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina — Detectives in North Carolina are investigating a fraud scheme involving someone using a recording of the Ross County Sheriff’s automated answering service.
According to reports, a detective with the Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office in Elizabeth City, North Carolina contacted Ross County, saying that their department had received multiple complaints regarding the scam in which residents were told that money was owed and that the matter had been turned over to law enforcement for criminal charges. The number, officials said, came from a source in Atlanta, Georgia.
North Carolina detectives told the sheriff’s office that when the number is called, a recording of the Ross County Sheriff’s Office is heard, including the name of Sheriff George Lavender.
Reporters with the Guardian attempted to call the number listed in the report, but it has since been disconnected.
Authorities say subpoenas will be issued for phone records in Atlanta. Captain Joey Addy with the Ross County Sheriff’s Office said there have been no local reports of any residents receiving calls from that number.
The case remains under investigation.