Sheriff Mike Slupe is advising residents to hang up immediately if they receive a call from someone claiming to be a deputy saying they missed a hearing and must meet to make a payment.

Slupe said the scam is an ongoing issue, and people are calling his office. He said a male claiming to be Deputy (Harry) Callithen has been calling residents saying they missed a hearing before Judge (Marilyn) Horan, and they have to meet at the sheriff’s office at 300 S. Main St. in Butler and pay with gift cards.

Slupe said law enforcement agencies never ask people to pay them. Payments and fines are paid to the clerk of courts office in the county courthouse or at magisterial district judge offices, he said. In addition, Horan is a former county Common Pleas Court Judge who has been a federal judge since 2018.

The calls are being made from phone number 724-220-4648 from Scottsdale in Westmoreland County.

“Once we called him out, the phone number is no longer active, but they will use other numbers. Please do not be fooled. Please hang up immediately,” Slupe said.