08/14/2026
The Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to remain vigilant after receiving reports of a phone scam in which callers falsely claim to represent a legitimate organization and allege that the recipient has fraudulent or unauthorized charges on an account.
In this scam, individuals receive a phone call, voicemail, text message, or email stating that suspicious charges have been detected. Victims are instructed to call a provided phone number to resolve the issue. Once contact is made, scammers attempt to obtain personal information, banking details, credit card numbers, passwords, or other sensitive data.
These scams use fear and urgency to pressure people into acting quickly. Residents should be extremely cautious of unsolicited communications regarding unexpected charges or account activity.
Warning Signs of the Scam:
-Unsolicited calls, texts, emails, or voicemails about suspicious charges.
-Requests to call an unfamiliar phone number.
-Pressure to act immediately to prevent account closure, additional charges, or legal action.
-Requests for personal information, passwords, Social Security numbers, account credentials, or payment information.
-Demands for payment through gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or other unusual methods.
How to Protect Yourself:
-Do not call phone numbers provided in unsolicited messages.
-Verify account activity by contacting the organization directly using a trusted phone number from an official website or account statement.
-Never provide personal or financial information to unknown callers.
-Hang up immediately if a caller pressures you to act quickly or threatens consequences.
-Report suspected scams to local law enforcement and the appropriate consumer protection agencies.
-Residents who believe they may have shared personal or financial information with a scammer should immediately contact their financial institution, monitor their accounts for suspicious activity, and report the incident to law enforcement.
Anyone receiving these scam communications is encouraged to report them to your local law enforcement agency. Fraud reports can also be made to the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov or reportfraud.ftc.gov.