Law enforcement warns against active phone scams

Some law enforcement agencies in DeSoto County have in recent days reminded residents to be aware of another spate of scam attempts being perpetrated. 

A recent social media post from the Southaven Police Department said the department had been receiving several complaints about a scam. 

According to the police, residents are being contacted by someone claiming to be a police officer. The victim is told that a family member is in custody and that the victim needs to pay a fine, post bond, or both, which can be done by coming to the police department or paying through PayPal or Venmo.  

Police say that residents will never be contacted by an officer for a payment through PayPal, Venmo, or similar method. The arrestee can also post a cash bond at the Southaven Police Department and will then be issued a receipt for their records for this transaction.

PayPal or Venmo are never used for over the phone payments by the police department. People who experience an incident like this are asked to contact the police department.  

The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department has also posted to social media a similar warning about scams from people impersonating a law enforcement officer.