The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office (NPSO) are warning the public about an ongoing scam in which individuals are falsely claiming to be law enforcement officials, court personnel, or electronic monitoring agents in an attempt to defraud residents.
Scammers are using information of relatives in jail in an effort to scam family members to send money.
According to reports, scammers are contacting citizens by phone, text message, and email claiming the recipient is required to make immediate payments related to court-ordered ankle monitoring devices. In some cases, the suspects are advising individuals that they must “activate,” “update,” or “clear fees” associated with a GPS ankle monitor, or face arrest or additional legal action.
The scammers often attempt to create urgency and fear, pressuring victims to make immediate payments using gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or mobile payment apps. Some calls may even appear legitimate due to caller ID spoofing that mimics official government or law enforcement phone numbers.
Sheriff Wright emphasized that neither the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office nor any legitimate court authority will demand payment over the phone or request payment through gift cards, crypto, or other untraceable methods.
Important Public Safety Tips
Residents are urged to remain vigilant and follow these guidelines:
Do not provide personal or financial information to unsolicited callers or messages
Do not make payments via gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or payment apps based on phone demands
Hang up immediately if pressured or threatened with arrest
Verify any claims directly by contacting the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office using an official number
Be aware that caller ID can be spoofed to appear as a legitimate agency
Report suspicious calls or messages to law enforcement immediately
Report Suspicious Activity
Anyone who believes they may have been contacted by scammers or has information regarding this scam is encouraged to contact the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-357-7851.
The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office continues to encourage citizens to stay alert and help spread awareness to prevent others from becoming victims of fraud.