WINNSBORO — On Wednesday, April 15, The Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office issued an urgent alert to residents following reports of a new phone scam involving the impersonation of a high-ranking local officer.
According to authorities, scammers have been calling residents while pretending to be Lt. Bill Dove. During these fraudulent calls, the impersonator instructs the victim to “hold” while they are purportedly transferred to a recorded or official government line.
One local resident narrowly avoided becoming a victim after recognizing the call as suspicious. The individual hung up and contacted the Sheriff’s Office directly, where they were able to speak with the real Lt. Bill Dove and confirm that the previous call was a hoax. Officials praised the resident’s quick thinking, noting that hanging up is the correct course of action.
In response to the circulating threat, the Sheriff’s Office released a list of “red flags” to help citizens identify fraudulent activity. They emphasized that the real Lt. Bill Dove, or any other member of the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office, will never:
- Call to demand money, fines, or payments over the phone.
- Request payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or payment apps.
- Threaten immediate arrest for failure to pay.
- Transfer callers to a “recorded line” to collect personal or financial information.
“Protect yourself and your family,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “When in doubt—hang up and call us directly.”
If a resident receives a suspicious call, officials advise them to hang up immediately without providing any information or pressing any prompted buttons. Anyone who believes they have been targeted by this scam is encouraged to report the incident to the Sheriff’s Office at a verified number to help investigators track the perpetrators.
To report a suspicious call or verify the identity of a caller claiming to be with the department, contact the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office main line.