Lake County warns about phone scam impersonating sheriff's office

Authorities are warning about a scam involving con artists calling residents and introducing themselves as a member of the Lake County sheriff's office, according to a news release Friday. The scammers utilize an actual name of a sheriff's office employee. The scammer then informs the victim a Lake County judge (also utilizing the name of an actual judge) issued an arrest warrant. The caller is then instructed to purchase a "voucher" in order to avoid arrest. Neither the sheriff's office nor 19th Judicial Circuit call residents and request money. Lake County government will not ask for or accept payment in the form of gift cards or 'Green Dot' cards. Anyone receiving such a call is advised to hang up and block the caller's telephone number.