Darke County Sheriff’s Office Warns Residents of Impersonation Scams
The Darke County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning to residents about scammers impersonating a sergeant. Callers are reportedly contacting citizens, claiming to be Sgt. Clark, and demanding money or gift cards for supposed failure to appear in court.
Dayton, OH, September 18, 2026 —
The Darke County Sheriff’s Office is alerting the public to a recent scam targeting residents. Individuals claiming to be a sergeant from the Sheriff’s Office have been making calls to citizens, demanding payment under false pretenses.
According to the warning issued by the Sheriff’s Office, callers are identifying themselves as Sgt. Clark. These scammers are reportedly telling residents that they have failed to appear in court and are demanding money or gift cards as a consequence. This tactic is a common characteristic of imposter scams, where criminals leverage the authority of law enforcement or government agencies to instill fear and pressure victims into immediate payment.
Officials emphasize that legitimate law enforcement agencies do not solicit payment for fines or warrants over the phone, especially through gift cards or untraceable methods. The Darke County Sheriff’s Office urges anyone receiving such calls to exercise caution and verify the caller’s identity through official channels if they have any doubts. It is recommended not to provide any personal or financial information to unsolicited callers.
Specific details regarding the number of individuals targeted, the exact timeline of the scam’s operation, or the amount of money potentially lost by residents were not immediately available. The contractor’s name was not provided. The fine amount was not provided. The Sheriff’s Office has not released further information on the extent of the scam beyond the initial warning.
Residents who believe they may have been targeted by this scam, or who have received similar suspicious calls, are encouraged to report the incident to the Darke County Sheriff’s Office. This helps authorities track the scam’s activity and protect other community members. The Sheriff’s Office aims to raise awareness and prevent residents from falling victim to these fraudulent schemes.
Story summarized from the original created by Ren Sikes, WHIO.com on www.whio.com, see more information here.
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