Saratoga County Residents Beware! Scammers Claiming to Be Police

Living in Saratoga County, I feel law enforcement does a great job of keeping us safe. But they are putting out a warning about something out of their control.

Scammers are once again pretending to be police in Saratoga County, and they are using threats to make their calls sound convincing.

The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office has received reports of unknown callers claiming to represent the department. In one case, the caller ID even displayed Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. That familiar name could easily make someone believe the call was real.

What Gave It Away?

What happened next was a major red flag. The scammer demanded $16,000 in Lowe’s gift cards as a good-faith payment. They threatened to arrest the victim and put their mugshot on social media if they did not cooperate.

The victim hung up. Then another call came in, this time from an unknown woman using an out-of-state number.

The Sheriff’s Office wants residents to remember one simple fact: the department will never call asking for money, gift cards, Bitcoin, or similar payments.

What Do You Do If You Get A Call Like This?

Anyone receiving a call with these demands should hang up. Scammers count on fear and pressure to keep people talking and convince them to pay before they have time to think.

Caller ID alone is not proof that someone is with law enforcement. Residents with concerns should contact the Sheriff’s Office directly through a verified phone number.

The department also made clear that there is no indication Lowe’s Home Improvement is involved in the scam calls.

A quick conversation with relatives, friends, or neighbors about this warning could help prevent someone from losing money. Even a convincing caller can be stopped by simply hanging up.