Rankin County sheriff warns of scam using fake ‘Deputy Barry Vaughn’ identity
The Rankin County Sheriff’s Department said in a Facebook post that it has received multiple reports of an ongoing scam that is being used to defraud residents of Rankin County, Mississippi.
According to the department, scammers are using the alias “Deputy Barry Vaughn” to trick people into sending money by claiming there is an arrest warrant for missed jury duty. The department said it will never contact anyone by telephone to request money or payment and urged residents not to send funds to anyone regardless of who they claim to be.
The Rankin County Sheriff’s Department is the primary law enforcement agency for the county and routinely issues public safety notices to warn residents about scams and other threats. Impersonation schemes that claim to be from law enforcement or courts are commonly used nationwide to pressure people into quick payments.
Officials advised residents to verify any contact through official channels and to report suspicious calls to local law enforcement. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
