URBANA, IL (Chambana Today) — The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to stay vigilant after reports of scammers impersonating law enforcement officers. The office emphasized that it will never request payment over the phone, by text, email, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or electronic transfer to avoid arrest, resolve warrants, or pay fines.

According to Sheriff Dustin Heuerman, scammers are using spoofed phone numbers that appear to come from the Sheriff’s Office and, in some cases, even the names of real employees to make their calls seem legitimate. The callers often pressure victims to make immediate payments or threaten arrest if payment is not made, a tactic considered a major “red flag” of fraud.

Residents are urged to hang up immediately if they receive a suspicious call, avoid sharing personal or financial information, and contact the Sheriff’s Office directly to verify claims. The office can be reached at 217-384-1204 during business hours or 217-333-8911 after hours.

Sheriff Heuerman also encouraged the public to share this warning with family and friends, particularly older adults, who are often targeted. Anyone who believes they have been targeted or victimized is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office immediately.