Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Issues November 2025 Scams Update

(Walhalla, SC)------------------------------------In our continuing efforts to educate and inform our citizens, and to prevent them from becoming victims of scams, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is releasing today our November 2025 Scams Update.       

The Sheriff’s Office spoke with a victim of a law enforcement related scam in reference to missing jury duty.  The victim received a call from someone claiming to be Officer Holloway from the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office.  The victim also inquired about a Sgt. Sean Lewis.  The victim was told that the Sheriff’s Office did not have any employees with those names.

The victim told the Deputy that they were informed that they had missed jury duty in reference to a Federal Murder case.  The victim was further told that they would need to pay a fine of approximately $2,000 or would have to be booked into jail for a 72 hour time period.

The caller asked the victim to purchase four OnePay cards, using either cash or a debit card.  After the cards were purchased, the caller only asked for the last four numbers on the card and the CCV code.  The victim lost approximately $2,000.

The Deputy made contact with an OnePay employee in order to check on the possibility for victim reimbursement.  The number used by the scammer had an 864 area code.

Besides this report, the Sheriff’s Office has also received other calls regarding law enforcement scams in reference to missing jury duty. 

The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind you of the following tips to avoid being a victim of a law enforcement scam:

·         Law Enforcement Officers will never request money or payment to drop a charge or to recall an arrest or bench warrant.  If an arrest or bench warrant is issued, or a charge made for an arrestable offense, law enforcement also will not set a minimum or maximum time that someone will spend in jail.  Judges determine bond amounts for those arrested and determine sentences of those who are convicted of crimes.

·         If someone asks you to pay using an unusual form of payment, such as a prepaid card or cryptocurrency, consider that request a good indicator of a scam. 

·         Once payment is made to a scammer, regardless of the method used and regardless of the scam, it is very rare that the victim recovers any money that is lost in a scam. 

·         Keep in mind that scammers will attempt to create a sense of urgency in order to have you react in ways you might not otherwise react.  Remain calm!

A Deputy spoke with a victim who allowed a caller to have remote access to her cell phone.  The caller identified themselves as an Apple technician.  The victim reported that the technician seemed to have a lot of information about her and asked the victim if he could have remote access to her phone, with the victim giving consent. 

The victim also gave the caller her full name, date of birth, Social Security number and banking information, as well as her Venmo and Zelle information.  The Venmo and Zelle accounts are tied into her debit card from her bank.

Afterwards, the victim received word that her Apple ID was used at an Apple store for an amount of approximately $243.33.  The victim later discovered that approximately $648 dollars was removed from her account. 

·         The Sheriff’s Office reminds you to never provide any financial account or personal identifying information to anyone who calls you unsolicited.

·         Never allow a random caller to have remote access to your phone or your computer. 

·         If you do not recognize a phone number on your caller ID, the Sheriff’s Office recommends that you do not answer the call, even if they appear to be calling for a local number.