BUTLER COUNTY — The Butler County Sheriff is warning people about a phone scam circulating in our area. Sheriff Michael Slupe said he was made aware of someone calling people claiming to be one of his deputies.
“We received a phone call from a female that she received a call from Sgt. Callithen from the Butler County Sheriff’s office, which we have a Sgt. Callithen,” said Slupe. “She said she had citations to take care of and to take care of them, she had to go buy gift cards and then call the number back, provide all the numbers, then bring the gift cards to 300 S Main Street, which is at the courthouse.”
Meanwhile, on the same day, Butler Township Police were called about a similar incident at the Giant Eagle in Moraine Pointe Plaza. The sheriff said a man was trying to buy $6,000 worth of gift cards because he was told there were citations out for him.
“There was an elderly man in a local store who was trying to buy a lot of gift cards and thankfully the clerk at the store stopped the sale, got their manager, they stopped the sale and called police,” said Sheriff Slupe.
Butler Township Police and Butler County Sheriff’s office are both thanking Giant Eagle employees for putting a stop to it and preventing the scammer from getting away with a lot of money. The sheriff said both victims were likely scammed by the same person.
“No one I know in law enforcement, no one will ask you to buy gift card to pay a citation,” said Sheriff Slupe.
The Butler County Sheriff wants to remind people that citations are usually mailed to your house by law enforcement. He also says anyone who receives a call similar to this incident to hang up immediately and call 911 to alert local authorities.
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