The Chittenden County Sheriff's Office, in cooperation with the Vermont State Police, is investigating a phone scam in which callers falsely identify themselves as Deputy Sheriffs or employees of the Chittenden County Sheriff's Office. The callers typically ask for a specific person and it is believed that a false caller ID identifier card is being used, to mimic the actual Sheriff's Office business line number. The caller sometimes references the Sheriff's Office is making collections for the IRS, other times Child Support. Other times they tell people they have "warrants" for child support. Many times the caller will become angry and use profanity to gain cooperation from those who question their calls.
The Sheriff's Office does not collect debts for the IRS or other federal or state agencies. The Chittenden County Sheriff's Office is asking that people who are contacted request the full name; rank and position of the caller if they represent themselves as a sworn law enforcement officer. Our Deputies who are making legitimate calls to people are prepared to give this information that only a sworn Deputy Sheriff would know.
We also ask that NO MONEY be sent and that no personally identifiable information be given out. Any Internet links provided by the callers should be ignored.
Please report suspected fraud activity to your local police, or the Chittenden County Sheriff's Office via e-mail by visiting out website at: