Erie County Sheriff Warns of Scam Callers Posing as Courthouse Employees

Scammers are using names of deputies to solicit money from residents, sheriff says

Apr. 8, 2026 at 7:20pm

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An extreme close-up of crumpled official paperwork reflecting a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the stark, investigative nature of a scam targeting vulnerable residents.A harsh flash photograph of official courthouse paperwork highlights the gritty reality of scammers exploiting public trust.Erie Today

The Erie County sheriff is urging residents to be on the lookout for scammers posing as courthouse employees and calling to solicit money. Sheriff Chris Campanelli said his office has received reports of scammers using the names of deputies to target elderly and vulnerable residents, sometimes requesting thousands of dollars. The sheriff emphasized that his employees never call the public to request money, and advised residents to be suspicious of such calls and to contact the sheriff's office directly if they have any concerns.

Why it matters

Scams targeting the elderly and vulnerable are an ongoing problem, and this latest scheme involving impersonation of courthouse staff is particularly concerning as it could erode public trust in local government institutions. The sheriff's warning aims to raise awareness and prevent residents from falling victim to these deceptive tactics.

The details

According to Sheriff Campanelli, scammers have been calling Erie County residents and claiming to be deputies, attempting to solicit money. The sheriff stressed that his office's employees never call the public to request funds, and advised residents to be wary of such calls. Campanelli said the scammers are often seeking large sums of money, up to $5,000 to $10,000, and that the sheriff's office has been receiving one to two scam reports per week.

  • The Erie County sheriff's office has been receiving scam reports for the past several weeks.

The players

Chris Campanelli

The Erie County sheriff who is warning residents about the scam calls.

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What they’re saying

“'They're after elderly people and people that are easily scared, and they're trying to get large amounts of money. I've heard up to five to ten thousand dollars, and for that kind of money, call us.'”

— Chris Campanelli, Erie County Sheriff

What’s next

The Erie County sheriff's office is advising residents to be vigilant and to contact the department directly if they receive any suspicious calls claiming to be from courthouse employees requesting money.

The takeaway

This scam targeting Erie County residents highlights the ongoing need for public awareness and education about fraudulent schemes, especially those that attempt to exploit vulnerable populations by impersonating trusted local authorities.