Sgt. Spencer Cannon, public information officer for the UCSO, said this is one of many scam schemes going on in the county right now, but it was created to be more believable.

“This particular round has a unique aspect of it that the victims are asked to make payments for warrants through Bitcoin, and several individuals that we are aware of have actually done that,” Spencer said. “Some have lost as much as $4,500. In fact, just before I left the office a Springville man came in who lost $1,600.”

To add credibility to the call, the scam reportedly involves telling victims to contact a “Lt. Jones” at the sheriff’s office after the Bitcoin payment has been made. Spencer said there is a Lt. Jeffery Jones working for the sheriff’s office, and it has convinced several people to buy into the scam.

“The scammers will have individuals go to a store where there’s a kiosk that you can put money into, and it will transfer it into Bitcoin,” Spencer added. “Then you make the payment and are told to make other arrangements at the sheriff’s office and talk to Lt. Jones.”

The UCSO does send text messages and occasional phone calls to individuals reminding them payments may be due, but Spencer said UCSO will never ask for money over the phone.

“Everything about the call makes it sound legitimate except for the Bitcoin part,” he said. “They are using Bitcoin as the payment and are telling people to go talk to Lt. Jones. This is just one of the things they are doing to add an air of credibility. People need to learn it’s OK to question people when they call. Even if it is legitimate.”

A UCSO tweet read that another version of this scam had victims sending money to pay for missing jury duty. These individuals were also asked to contact Lt. Jones.

According to consumers.ftc.gov, scammers often pretend to be from an organization victims know, pressure them into acting immediately and request payment in a particular way.

Acts of fraud can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission.