By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
Once again, the name of the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department is being used to exploit residents.
But this time, Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett says the criminals are going higher up and using his name to scare people.
"They call and they want our citizens to provide them gift card information, attain the gift card and provide them the information so they can siphon the money off the gift cards," Puett tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "I've heard from a couple other sheriffs throughout the state that they're saying that as well as using their name."
Puett says St. Joseph residents have reported this call, but he has even heard of his name being used in the Jefferson City area calling those residents.
"I don't know why that they would be doing it in the first place let alone trying it across the state, I don't know whether it's because of the connection with the sheriff's association or how that works," Puett says.
Puett says his department will never ask for money over the phone so if you receive one of these calls it's best to just hang up and report it to his office.
Puett says it's frustrating to have his name associated with this scam
"We work really, really hard to serve our citizens and I think our citizens know that, but anytime that a citizen might be victimized and they're using our name, that is a very upsetting thing," Puett says.
Puett says reports have said the voice on these scam calls sounds similar to him which makes victims believe it is actually him calling.
The Buchanan County Sheriff's Department will never call you asking for money, so if you receive one of these calls hang up and report it to the department.