Last Updated on October 2, 2026 5:09 am
The Watauga County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about a growing wave of scams that use phone calls, text messages, social media, and even artificial intelligence to appear legitimate. Sheriff Len D. Hagaman released a list of the top 10 scams currently targeting Watauga County, along with guidance on how to recognize and avoid them.
Among the most concerning is law enforcement and court impersonation. Scammers posing as sheriff's deputies, police officers, prosecutors, or court officials have been calling residents and threatening arrest unless immediate payment is made. In one emerging version tied to a September 17, 2026 warning from the NC Attorney General's Office, scammers have targeted domestic violence victims shortly after an arrest or court proceeding, demanding money for bond, dismissal of charges, protective orders, electronic monitoring, or jail expenses.
“WCSO will never call and demand immediate payment over the telephone to avoid arrest, dismiss a criminal charge, obtain a protective order, release someone from jail, or prevent a warrant from being served,” Sheriff Hagaman said. Anyone who receives such a call is urged to hang up and independently call the Sheriff's Office using its published telephone number.
Top 10 Current Watauga County Scams
- Law enforcement impersonation — a caller claiming to be a deputy, officer, prosecutor, or court official threatens arrest unless you pay immediately.
- Missed jury duty / warrant scams — scammers claim you missed jury duty and face arrest, sometimes sending a fake warrant by text or email.
- Fake DMV / traffic-ticket texts — a text claims you owe a fine and threatens license suspension if you don't pay immediately.
- Fake parking or toll violation notices — convincing texts with fake case numbers, court information, and QR codes.
- Fake rental or vacation property scams — real-looking listings demand a deposit before you can see or verify the property.
- Fake job or employment scams — “employers” request banking information, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, or ask you to forward money.
- Investment and cryptocurrency scams — fake platforms and AI-generated videos of recognizable public figures promise guaranteed returns.
- Grandchild or family emergency scams — a caller claims to be a relative in a crisis who needs money immediately.
- Bank or account security impersonation — a caller claims your account is compromised and asks for a password or verification code.
- AI, deepfake, and social media scams — fabricated voices, photos, and videos made to look like they're from someone you trust.
Other scams on the list include missed jury duty calls claiming an arrest warrant has been issued; fake DMV and traffic-ticket texts threatening license suspension; fake parking or toll violation notices containing fabricated case numbers, court dates, and QR codes; and fake rental or vacation property listings that collect deposits before victims discover the listing isn't legitimate.
The Sheriff's Office also flagged fake job and employment offers that request banking information or ask victims to forward money; investment and cryptocurrency scams that use AI-generated videos of recognizable public figures to promise guaranteed returns; grandchild and family emergency scams in which a caller claims a relative is in a crisis and needs immediate money; bank and account security impersonation calls asking for passwords or verification codes; and broader AI and deepfake scams using fabricated voices, photos, and videos of people victims trust.
Sheriff Hagaman emphasized a simple rule for residents to follow: Stop, hang up, and verify. Government agencies do not demand immediate payment by gift card or cryptocurrency, legitimate law enforcement will not make an arrest warrant disappear for a fee, caller ID can be spoofed, and no legitimate caller will ask for a password, PIN, or verification code over the phone.
Anyone who believes they have been scammed and transferred money should contact their financial institution immediately. For an emergency or a crime in progress, call 911. For non-emergency assistance in Watauga County, contact the Watauga County Sheriff's Office at 828-264-3761. Suspected scams can also be reported to the North Carolina Department of Justice Consumer Protection Division at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.
