🚨 Don’t Fall For It, Avoyelles: SCAM ALERT from Sheriff Dauzat

Avoyelles Parish Sheriff David L. Dauzat is warning residents to remain vigilant after the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office (APSO) received multiple complaints involving phone calls and mail falsely claiming to be from the Sheriff’s Office.

According to APSO, scammers are contacting citizens and attempting to keep them on the phone in order to “verify” personal information. Sheriff Dauzat said one of the most common warning signs is the caller’s voice and manner of speaking.

“One of the biggest giveaways is the voice on the other end of the line,” Sheriff Dauzat said. “These callers often do not have a local accent. They frequently mispronounce our local names, towns, and streets. They simply do not pronounce words like we do. If they don’t sound like us, be on high alert.”

Residents who receive a phone call or mailing claiming to be from the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office are urged not to provide any personal information. Sheriff Dauzat advises citizens to hang up immediately and verify the contact by calling the Sheriff’s Office directly at (318) 253-4000. Citizens may also visit the Sheriff’s Office in person to speak with a deputy if they are unsure whether the contact is legitimate.

“If the call sounds suspicious, it probably is,” Sheriff Dauzat said. “Hang up and call us back on our official line.”

Safety Tips to Protect Yourself 🛡️

Sheriff Dauzat also shared several safety tips to help residents protect themselves from phone and mail fraud:

• Legitimate government agencies do not request payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
• Any caller requesting payment through methods such as Green Dot, iTunes, Amazon gift cards, or similar services should be considered a scam.

Residents are also reminded not to rely solely on caller ID, as scammers can “spoof” phone numbers to make it appear the call is coming from the Sheriff’s Office. Additionally, citizens should never share personal information such as Social Security numbers, bank account details, or dates of birth with unsolicited callers.

Sheriff Dauzat encourages residents to share this information with family members and friends, particularly elderly relatives who are often targeted by scammers.

For emergencies, residents should always dial 911. For non-emergencies or to verify suspicious contact, the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office can be reached at (318) 253-4000 or by email at info@AvoyellesSO.org.