Cook County sheriff warns of new phone scam

Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart is warning of a phone scam in which the caller claims to be a member of the sheriff's office, makes notification that there is an allegation against the victim and that payment is required.

A spoofing application is used to make it appear on caller ID that the phone call is coming from a Cook County sheriff's office number.

The sheriff's office does not make such notifications by phone nor does the office ask for payment over the phone.

Dart advises people to avoid becoming the victim of a phone scam by hanging up if the call seems suspicious, to never give personal information over the phone and call an agency back yourself to see if a request is legitimate without using any number given by the caller.

Dart asks anyone who believes they are a victim of this scam to call the sheriff's police at (708) 865-4896.