News Summary
Local officials in Chatham County, Georgia are alerting residents to a rise in scams, particularly impersonation scams that seek to extort money. The Chatham County–Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission has reported fraudulent emails requesting payments for application approvals. Additionally, a jury duty scam has surfaced where scammers impersonate deputies. Officials stress the importance of vigilance and caution when dealing with unsolicited communications. Community awareness is vital in combating these fraudulent schemes.
Chatham County, Georgia – Local officials are actively warning residents about an increase in scams that target individuals, often using impersonation tactics to deceive and extort money. The Chatham County–Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) recently raised alarms about a scam where fraudsters pose as representatives of the organization to contact petitioners.
Victims of this scam have reported receiving fraudulent emails that request payments either to approve applications or claim fees for applications that may have already been approved. The MPC clearly states that it will never request payment for application approvals via email. Residents are urged to ignore any suspicious communications and to only trust emails that originate from official domains, specifically @thempc.org, @savannahga.gov, and @chathamcounty.org.
In addition to the MPC scam, officials are facing challenges with a jury duty scam that has surfaced in Chatham County. Scammers are using the phone number of the Sheriff’s Office and even impersonating actual deputies to lend legitimacy to their calls. These fraudsters threaten arrest or demand immediate payment for alleged failures to appear for jury duty or court proceedings, creating a sense of urgency designed to panic the recipients into compliance. The Sheriff’s Office stresses that they will never call individuals to demand payments or issue threats regarding missed jury duty.
As part of their efforts to combat scams, Sheriff Richard Coleman and Savannah Mayor Van Johnson undertook an undercover operation aimed at capturing a scammer who was targeting residents with demands for payment in the form of gift cards. During this operation, the Mayor reportedly received a scam call and followed the caller’s instructions, attempting to meet the scammer at a Walmart location while Sheriff Coleman waited in the parking lot. However, the scammer refused to meet in person and insisted that the Mayor provide credit card numbers over the phone. Subsequent investigations revealed that the call originated from a jail or prison, and the Sheriff’s Office is currently pursuing this lead.
Recent reports indicate that many scams in the area are impersonating communications related to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or traffic citations. Officials urge residents to exercise caution when answering unknown phone numbers and to be vigilant about unsolicited communications demanding money or personal information. Anyone who receives a call from an unknown number that invokes high-pressure tactics or is reluctant to verify their identity should hang up immediately.
To ensure residents feel secure and informed, the Sheriff’s Office encourages them to reach out directly for assistance concerning any potential scams. Increasing awareness and educating the public about these tactics are essential steps in reducing the effectiveness of con artists operating within Chatham County.
In response to the rising number of scams, local officials are emphasizing the importance of community vigilance. By remaining alert and informed, residents can help protect themselves and their neighbors from falling victim to fraudulent schemes.
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Additional Resources
- WSAV: Chatham County Sheriff’s Office Warns Residents of Phone Scam
- Wikipedia: Scams
- WTOC: Chatham Co. Sheriff & Savannah Mayor Pair Up to Catch Scammer
- Google Search: Chatham County Scams
- WRAL: Fraud Felony Charges in Chatham County
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fraud
- Savannah Now: Police Urging Caution on Scams in Chatham County
- Google News: Chatham County Phone Scam
Author: STAFF HERE SAVANNAH WRITER
SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER The SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESavannah.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Savannah, Chatham County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Savannah Music Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Savannah Jazz Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Coastal Empire, plus leading businesses in aerospace, education, and logistics that power the local economy such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Colonial Group. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HEREAugusta.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
