Cumberland County sheriff warns of phone scam

Cumberland County Sheriff Earl R. Butler said Thursday that the caller, who appears to be dialing from a local cell phone number, tells the victim he or she qualifies for a free $7,000 grant from the federal government that does not have to be paid back.

In return, the victim must give the caller their name, Social Security number and other personal information.

Butler said there is no such grant available from the government.

Anyone who receives a call like this is urged to call the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office 910-323-1500.

Butler warned that people should never give out their personal information to anyone over the telephone offering deals too good to be true.