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HOLLIDAYSBURG -- A male caller -- identifying himself as Sheriff Ott and claiming to be investigating credit card misuse -- is not Blair County Sheriff James Ott.
Even if a telephone or identification system indicates that the call is coming from the county sheriff's office, neither the real Sheriff Ott or his office is doing the calling, according to a scam alert recently issued by the county office.
Ott said local residents have reported receiving phone calls from a male caller who identifies himself as "Sheriff Ott." The caller speaks of representing Homeland Security in an investigation of credit card misuse and illegal purchasing of narcotics activity.
As part of the bogus investigation, Ott said the caller asks the recipient to purchase money cards from various local businesses, then to stay on the phone and immediately bring the cards to the courthouse.
"We will never make any monetary arrangements via phone or request any personal account information for any reason, and we do not request people to remain on the phone as they drive to the courthouse campus," Ott said.
Ott said his office, at times, places telephone calls about outstanding filings, warrants or paperwork. But in those cases, the sheriff said his office wants to set up a time to meet so the matter can be addressed.
Ott's scam alert also offered some tips for handling these types of calls:
-- If you get a strange call from the government, hang up. If you want to check it out, visit the official government website for contact information.
-- Don't give out -- or confirm -- your personal or financial information to someone who calls.
-- Don't wire money or send money using a reloadable card. Never pay someone who calls out of the blue, even if the name or number on the Caller ID looks legitimate.
-- Feeling pressured to act immediately? Hang up. That's a sure sign of a scam, Ott said.