Mercer County sheriff warns of surge in scam, fraud reports

MERCER CO., Ohio (ADAMS) – Mercer County Sheriff Doug Timmerman is alerting residents to a recent surge in scam and fraud reports received by his office.

Citizens have reported a variety of fraudulent activities occurring via phone, email, text messages, and even social media.

The reported scams include:

IRS Impersonation Scams
The Grandparent Scam
Charity Donation Scams
Prize/Lottery Scams
Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Scams
Computer Tech Support Fraud
Apple/PayPal Payment Scams
Fake Social Media Account Offers
Toll Road Payment Texts
And more

“These scams are becoming more sophisticated, and some involve threats of exposure or legal action if the victim does not comply,” said Sheriff Timmerman. “Scammers are targeting vulnerable individuals and using fear, urgency, and emotional manipulation to extort money or personal information.”

The Sheriff’s Office reminds residents:

The IRS will never call demanding payment or ask for credit/debit card information over the phone. They will initiate contact through official mail correspondence.
Never send payment in the form of gift cards. This is a common tactic used by scammers.
If you receive a suspicious call from a business, hang up immediately and contact the business directly using a verified number—not one provided by the caller.
Avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails or text messages, even if they appear to be from a legitimate source.
Never meet strangers or invite them to your home to provide payment or resolve a supposed issue.
“It is important to remind your parents and grandparents to never give out personal information, credit card numbers, or bank account details over the phone,” Sheriff Timmerman emphasized. “Education and awareness are key tools in preventing fraud.”

Anyone who suspects they have been targeted by a scam is encouraged to report the incident to the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office or the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov).