Katy Area Authorities Warn Residents of Ongoing Scams

KATY MAGAZINE NEWS

May 13, 2024

By Natalie Cook Clark

Local authorities are warning Katy area residents of some ongoing scams targeting families and some of our communities most vulnerable residents. Know these scams and don’t be a victim.

The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Department posted a warning recently on their Facebook page about an alarming scam where scammers impersonate personnel from the Fort Vend County Sheriff’s Office.

Scammers Research to Make Calls Sound Legitimate

Scammers demand immediate payment to avoid a warrant being issued for their arrest for citation fines. Scammers are also demanding payment for outstanding warrants, ongoing civil matters, and other violations.

Katy resident Maria Drews received a call like this and was very alarmed.

“I was a little nervous that it was a legitimate call,” says Maria Drews. “The guy knew that I was a physical therapist and had told me that I didn’t show up to testify in court.”

The caller claimed he had records showing that someone from her house signed for and accepted information on the court case. The Drews had a lot going on at the time so she was worried that she had signed and forgotten.

“I called a friend whose husband is a cop, he assured me that it was scam,” says Drews.

The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office says that these scammers do sound legitimate because they have your information: full name, address, and possibly other personal information. They use the FBCSO address (1840 Richmond Parkway, Richmond, TX) as well as FBCSO employee names to further validate the scam.

They stress that the Sheriff’s Office DOES NOT call anyone requesting money or payment of any kind, for any reason.

If you receive a call from someone stating they are with the FBCSO, the department urges you to NOT to agree to make a payment, and NEVER give out any personal information, (social security number, driver’s license, or date of birth.)

“It made me angry that these people try to scam others,” says Drews. “It obviously took some time to research me and figure out how to make this call seem legitimate, why can’t they do something useful and legal?”

'Emergency' Scam Targets Senior Citizens

Harris County Constable Ted Heap’s Office also recently shared information about a current scam occurring in our area and this one targets senior citizens.

In this “Emergency” scam, con artists will call or email their targeted victims, letting them know that a grandchild or other relative has supposedly been injured, robbed or arrested while traveling overseas and needs money ASAP for bail money, lawyer’s fees, hospital bills or another fictitious expense.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, victims can lose anywhere from $2,000 to $9,000 in these scams.

Constable Ted Heap Shares Tips to Avoid this Scam:

• Beware of any urgent solicitation of funds, especially if it is needed to pay for unexpected bills such as bail money, lawyer’s fees or doctor bills.

• Even if you feel the call is legitimate, independently contact the relative the con artist is claiming to be, or to represent, at a known phone number to verify the details of the story.

• Scam artists’ payment method of choice is the wire transfer. Any urgent request to wire money should be treated suspiciously.

• These scams often call late at night in an attempt to confuse their potential victims.

• If you are a victim of this scam, contact Precinct 5 or your local law enforcement agency immediately.

For more information residents can contact Constable Ted Heap’s Victims Assistance Office for more information at 281-578-2513. The have more resources available at their website as well.  

Take measures to stay safe from these criminals and educate those you care about against these scams.

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