Area authorities have issued alerts to citizens to be aware of recently discovered counterfeit bills in southwest Arkansas, as well as phone scammers claiming to be representatives of the DirecTV satellite television company.
The Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office recently confiscated a large number of prop and “movie” bills resembling $100, $50, and $20 U.S. currency. The agency and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office have each issued warnings to be on the lookout for the phony money.
“Be aware that this fake currency is circulating,” said the Hempstead Sheriff James A. Singleton.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday had a similar message: “A neighboring county has confiscated several counterfeit $100 bills, and we would like to encourage local businesses and patrons to check their currency to make sure it is not counterfeit. It is believed that some of the counterfeit money could be in the market and may be used, intentionally or unintentionally, to buy merchandise or pay for goods or services.”
Columbia County authorities on Wednesday also issued a separate scam warning for satellite television customers.
“A person is calling claiming to be representing DirecTV with a foreign accent,” said the warning. “The scammer is telling the recipient that his or her receiver is obsolete with instructions of how to change settings on your television to reduce the bill by $15 per month. This may seem legitimate because they are somehow accessing the account number and information from DirecTV. At the end, they will ask for a check for $140 sent to Digital Home Promotions, P.O. Box 300474, Brooklyn, NY. The scammer will claim after 30 days, their $140 will be returned. It is a scam. DirecTV doesn’t call you, they utilize the mail.”
If anyone has contact with any of the scammers or encounters any counterfeit bills, they are encouraged to call CCSO at 870-234-5331.