Unknown phone call (Adobe Stock)
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office wants to warn residents about fake “orders of arrest” being sent using smartphones.
Victims are told to buy grocery store gift cards or make payments via cash apps like Venmo, the Sheriff’s Office said.
The order of arrest may appear legitimate, since it contains images of the Doña Ana County seal and the Sheriff’s Office badge, but it is not, the Sheriff’s Officed says.
The Sheriff’s Office reminds residents that it will not contact people by phone about orders of arrest or warrants and they do not request cash payments or gift cards.
Anyone who has a warrant for their arrest will be told in person by a uniformed deputy, the Sheriff’s Office says.
Deputies do not collect payments or fees associated with any warrants nor arrests.
If anyone in Doña Ana County is contacted regarding an outstanding warrant or arrest over the phone, collect as much information from the caller as possible, such as their name and phone number and report it to the Mesilla Valley Regional Dispatch Authority at (575) 526-0795 or online, at www.mvrda.org.