Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office identifies phone numbers used in recent scam attempts

Roanoke, Virginia – Scammers are once again targeting residents in Roanoke. On Slam the Scam Day, multiple reports of fraudulent phone calls have already been made to the Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office. Authorities have identified two phone numbers linked to these scam attempts: 540-406-6994 and 540-509-3776.

Scammers Pretend to Be Law Enforcement Officials

According to the Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office, the scammer is falsely claiming to be Sergeant Brandon Young and may reference a federal or Roanoke City case in an attempt to sound convincing. However, officials have confirmed that this is a scam, and residents should not provide any personal or financial information to these callers.

Several concerned individuals acted wisely by calling the sheriff’s office directly to verify the legitimacy of these claims. Officials urge all residents to do the same if they receive a suspicious call. “Stay vigilant: Do NOT provide any personal information to unknown callers. If you’re unsure, always contact our office directly, just like the concerned callers did,” the sheriff’s office stated.

How to Recognize a Scam

Scammers use various tactics to manipulate victims into handing over their money or personal details. Some common warning signs of a scam include:

• An unexpected issue or offer such as a legal problem, prize, or financial benefit.
• Urgent pressure to act immediately without giving time to verify the claim.
• Requests for unusual forms of payment such as cryptocurrency, gift cards, gold bars, or wire transfers, often under the false promise of keeping your money “safe.”

Authorities emphasize that anyone can be a target of a scam, and there is no shame in reporting fraudulent activity. Scammers use deceptive tactics to gain trust, and their manipulative methods can be convincing.

How to Protect Yourself From Scammers

Residents can reduce their chances of falling victim to scams by following a few simple precautions:

• Remain calm and talk to someone you trust before taking any action.
• Hang up immediately and ignore any suspicious calls, messages, or emails. Do not click on links or open attachments from unknown sources.
• Never send money or provide personal details to someone you do not know. Scammers often demand payments through hard-to-trace methods, including gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, and cryptocurrency.
• Be cautious of unsolicited contacts claiming to be from government agencies, banks, or law enforcement. Verify their identity by calling the official organization directly.

How to Report a Scam

If you receive a suspicious call, officials encourage you to report it immediately. Scams related to Social Security or government benefits should be reported to the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) at ssa.gov/scam.

The Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office remains committed to protecting the community from fraud and urges residents to stay informed and report all scam attempts. By working together, the community can prevent scammers from succeeding and protect vulnerable individuals from financial harm.