The Watauga County Sheriff's Office is alerting residents to a growing wave of scams that utilize phone calls, text messages, social media, and even artificial intelligence to create a false sense of legitimacy. Sheriff Len D. Hagaman has issued a warning, providing a list of the top ten scams currently targeting Watauga County and offering guidance on how to identify and avoid them.
Among the most serious concerns is the impersonation of law enforcement and court officials. Scammers are posing as sheriff's deputies, police officers, prosecutors, or court staff, contacting residents by phone and threatening immediate arrest unless payment is made promptly. An emerging variation, noted in a September 17, 2026, warning from the North Carolina Attorney General's Office, specifically targets victims of domestic violence shortly after an arrest or court proceeding. These fraudulent calls demand money for bond, the dismissal of charges, protective orders, electronic monitoring, or jail expenses.
Sheriff Hagaman explicitly stated that the "WCSO will never call and demand immediate payment over the telephone to avoid arrest," nor will it demand payment to dismiss a criminal charge, obtain a protective order, release someone from jail, or prevent a warrant from being served. Residents who receive such a call are strongly advised to hang up immediately and independently contact the Sheriff's Office using its officially published telephone number.
The Sheriff's Office also highlighted several other prevalent scams. These include calls claiming missed jury duty, which assert an arrest warrant has been issued. Fake DMV and traffic-ticket texts are circulating, threatening license suspension. Residents should also be wary of fraudulent parking or toll violation notices that contain fabricated case numbers, court dates, and QR codes. Deceptive rental or vacation property listings are also a concern, as they collect deposits before victims discover the properties are not legitimate.
Further scams on the list involve fake job and employment offers that request banking information or instruct victims to forward money. Investment and cryptocurrency scams are also active, often employing AI-generated videos of recognizable public figures to promise guaranteed returns. Grandchild and family emergency scams prey on concern for loved ones, with callers claiming a relative is in crisis and needs immediate financial assistance. Additionally, bank and account security impersonation calls attempt to elicit passwords or verification codes. Broader AI and deepfake scams are also noted, which use fabricated voices, photos, and videos of individuals victims trust.
Sheriff Hagaman underscored a crucial guideline for residents: "Stop, hang up, and verify." He stressed that government agencies never demand immediate payment via gift card or cryptocurrency. Legitimate law enforcement will not make an arrest warrant disappear for a fee, and residents should be aware that caller ID can be spoofed. Furthermore, no legitimate caller will ever ask for a password, PIN, or verification code over the telephone.
Anyone who suspects they have been scammed and has transferred money should contact their financial institution immediately. For emergencies or crimes in progress, residents should call 911. For non-emergency assistance within Watauga County, the Watauga County Sheriff's Office can be reached at 828-264-3761. Suspected scams can also be reported to the North Carolina Department of Justice Consumer Protection Division by calling 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.
