Richland County sheriff warns of financial scam

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The Richland County sheriff is warning people about a scam involving a caller who poses as a lieutenant or deputy with the sheriff’s department.

Sheriff Leon Lott says the caller tells people that they didn’t show up for court after they were caught on camera running a red light. Lott says the caller then tells his victims to put $1,500 to $2,500 on a Green Dot card to pay their bond.

The caller then has victims turn over the card’s PIN, giving him access to the money. He gives the victims a telephone number to call, which has a recording stating it’s the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Lott says that’s also part of the scam.

Anyone who is called should contact the sheriff’s department at 803-576-3000 or 803-576-3102.