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Jefferson County Precinct 2 Constable Chris Bates received a phone call Monday from someone saying he was with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

Bates immediately and correctly recognized the caller as a scammer but played along.

The scammer advised Bates he missed a federal court date and paperwork had been sent to his residence and signed for.

Bates advised the scammer he never got a letter. The scammer said someone at the Bates house signed for the paperwork.

The scammer asked Bates if he would be willing to verify his signature with the signature of the person who signed for the letter that they sent.

When Bates pressed the scammer further, the scammer hung up on him.

In response the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office released a statement sating its personnel would “never call our citizens asking for signature verifications, money or cash cards to pay off a missed court date, warrants, etc.”

“On behalf of Constable Bates and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, if anyone contacts you asking for payments, your signature, your banking information, etc., DO NOT comply. Hang up and contact the business directly,” the statement read.