Chemung County, N.Y. (WENY) – On January 8th, the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office issued a cautionary alert, revealing the presence of a scammer posing as a genuine Lieutenant from the department. Authorities report that the imposter goes by the name Lt.
Padgett and employs a tactic of informing individuals that there is an active warrant for their arrest. The scammer then pressures the targets to make a bail payment over the phone to allegedly avoid imprisonment.
An initial indicator of a potential scam is the misidentification of the scammer, especially if they claim to be Sergeant Padgett instead of Lieutenant. Additionally, a clear red flag is raised when the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office explicitly states that they do not request personal information over the phone.
It is crucial to be wary of any call demanding money from individuals claiming to be law enforcement, as such requests should never be entertained or fulfilled.The Sheriff of Chemung County has issued a crucial warning to the public, alerting them to the presence of scammers who are deceitfully impersonating law enforcement officials.
This cautionary statement emphasizes the seriousness of the threat posed by individuals falsely claiming to be part of the law enforcement community. The impersonation, particularly concerning the misrepresentation of authority figures such as police officers, raises significant concerns about potential scams targeting unsuspecting individuals.
This advisory serves as a reminder for residents to exercise heightened vigilance and skepticism when receiving unexpected calls or communications from individuals claiming to be law enforcement officers. Scammers often exploit trust and authority to manipulate victims into divulging personal information or making financial transactions.
In response to this emerging threat, the Sheriff’s Office urges residents to verify the legitimacy of such calls independently and refrain from sharing personal information over the phone. This proactive approach is essential in safeguarding the community against fraudulent activities and ensuring that residents remain well-informed and protected from potential scams orchestrated by these deceptive individuals posing as law enforcement officers.