Lackawanna County Sheriff warns of potential scam

SCRANTON — Lackawanna County Sheriff Mark McAndrew said scammers are leaving area residents automated voice messages fraudulently posing as representatives of his office.

“We just want people to be aware that we don’t conduct business in this manner,” said McAndrew, noting the department will either mail residents a postcard or letter, or a uniformed deputy in a marked car will come to their house to contact a resident.

The automated messages include a return phone number, and sometimes scammers request money when calls are returned. Anyone who receives such a call immediately should contact local police, McAndrew said.

— JEFF HORVATH