Scammer tries to take advantage of Lucas Watts’ situation

Oconee Sheriff’s Office has learned that someone is attempting a fundraising scam by posing as a fund raiser for the hospitalized deputy Lucas Watts.  The caller phoned an individual and asked if he wanted to donate to support Watts, seriously wounded in a November on-duty incident.  The unsuspecting recipient of the call agreed and was transferred to another person who took his debit card information.  Master Deputy Jimmy Watt, public information officer, makes this statement:  “The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office will never cold call anyone to request a donation on behalf of Corporal Watts and his family.”  If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the sheriff’s office seeking a donation to the officer, hang up.  It’s a scam.  Donations are being accepted in a legitimate fashion for Watts and his family through the following site:  https://serveandconnect.networkforgood.com/projects/211513-cpl-lucas-watts-recovery-fund.  To guard against being scammed, do not offer any type of credit or debit card information or numbers over the phone if you did not initiate the call and it’s someone that you do not typically do business with.”