Scammers Target Callaway Co.

The Callaway County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning about a scam targeting local residents. Victims report receiving phone calls from scammers claiming to work for Martinez and Associates, and giving an address of 11 East 11th Street in Lawrence, KS. That address is the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, in Lawrence, KS. During the phone call, the scammer advises the victim of a lawsuit against their social security number, and may even give the victim the last four digits of their social security number before requesting a payment. The scammers then tell the victim that if they fail to pay, they will be subject to arrest. One victim in Callaway County reported that after forwarding money to Martinez and Associates, he received a phone call showing a local number. When the victim answered, the caller identified himself as an officer with one of the local police departments in Callaway County. The caller told the victim he was contacted by Martinez and Associates, and if he does not pay the rest of his loan, he will arrest the victim. None of the law enforcement agencies in Callaway County participates in loan collection activities such as the one described above. If any individual is contacted by Martinez and Associates or any organization making a similar claim, the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office warns residents to not give them any personal information or send them any money.