A caller gives a deputy’s name, mentions legal documents and insists the matter needs attention today. The number on the screen may even look familiar. Then comes the demand: pay now or risk being arrested.

That is the kind of call Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez is warning residents about this holiday season. For neighbors in Eagle Landing, which is served by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the key reminder is simple: the agency will never call to demand payment over the phone.

In his holiday message, Gonzalez warns that scammers are contacting residents by phone, text and email while posing as Sheriff’s Office employees. They may use a real employee’s name, an official-sounding title or a badge number to make the encounter feel legitimate.

A Real Deputy’s Name Does Not Make the Call Real

The Sheriff’s Office warning video shows how convincing these impersonations can sound. A recorded caller identifies himself as Sergeant Lonnie Hilson and asks for a return call about legal documents. The real Hilson then appears with a direct response: “I'm Sergeant Lonnie Hilson and that was not me.”

Gonzalez explains that scammers may also manipulate caller ID to make a call appear to come from the agency’s main number. Some claim a loved one is in jail and needs bond money. Others use personal information about the person they are calling to make their story more believable.

Knowing a name or displaying a familiar number does not establish that someone works for law enforcement.

Warning Signs of a Sheriff Impersonation Scam

Residents in Eagle Landing should be especially cautious when a caller combines an official-sounding introduction with pressure to act immediately. The Sheriff’s Office identifies several warning signs:

• Threats of arrest unless money is paid immediately.

• Demands for gift cards, money transfers or cash deposited into a Bitcoin machine.

• Instructions to stay on the phone while driving to a bank or withdrawing money.

• Warnings not to tell family members or anyone else about the call.

• Claims that a payment will clear a warrant, settle a fine or resolve a legal matter.

The agency’s public scam alert confirms that deputies will never demand cash or bail payments over the phone. Residents who receive a suspicious call should hang up and contact the Sheriff’s Office directly at 713-221-6000. 

What Should You Do if You Receive One of These Calls?

End the call before taking any action. Do not send money, share financial information or follow instructions to visit a bank, buy gift cards or use a cryptocurrency machine.

Dial the Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number yourself to verify the claim. Using an independently verified number gives you a way to check the story without relying on contact information supplied by the caller.

The same caution applies to a threatening text or email. An official-looking name or message should not pressure you into making a payment before checking with the agency.

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Already Sent Money? Take These Steps

Someone who has already paid should act quickly, even if they feel embarrassed or uncertain about what happened. These scams are designed to sound credible and make people afraid to pause.

1. Contact the bank or payment provider immediately. Explain that the payment involved a scam and ask whether it can be stopped, reversed or refunded.

2. If gift cards were used, contact the card issuer. Keep the cards and receipts, and ask whether the money can be recovered.

3. If cryptocurrency was used, contact the exchange or ATM operator immediately. Report the fraudulent transaction and ask about recovery options. Recovery is not guaranteed.

4. Report the incident to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office at 713-221-6000 and to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

5. Save the evidence. Keep messages, voicemails, phone numbers, receipts and transaction details to share with investigators.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

A Conversation Worth Having Before the Holidays

For families in Eagle Landing, this is a useful reminder to share before holiday schedules get busy. Gonzalez encourages residents to talk with parents, grandparents, neighbors and friends. Older adults may be targeted, but anyone can be caught off guard by a convincing threat.

A brief conversation can give someone permission to slow down, hang up and ask for help. If a caller claims to represent the Sheriff’s Office and demands money, there is no need to resolve the situation on that caller’s timetable. End the call and verify it directly.

A convincing voice, a real deputy’s name or a familiar phone number can make a scam feel legitimate. Before fear turns into a costly payment, hang up and call the Harris County Sheriff’s Office directly at 713-221-6000. Share this warning with someone who might need it.

Stay connected with My Neighborhood News for more local safety updates and practical tips to help protect your family and your neighborhood.

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By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

 

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