Daily Dalton Update: Scam Alerts, Safety Reminders, and Community Services

Public Safety Updates

Dalton police are urging residents to stay alert after reports of a phone scam circulating locally over the past several days. In these calls, scammers impersonate law enforcement officers and claim the recipient has missed a court date or failed to report for jury duty. The caller then demands immediate payment, often threatening arrest if the money is not sent right away.

Police emphasize that this is a scam. Law enforcement agencies do not call residents to collect fines, demand payments, or threaten arrest over the phone. Anyone who receives a call like this is encouraged to hang up immediately and report the incident to authorities. Officials say even engaging briefly with the caller can increase the risk of further contact.

Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off

Whitfield County residents are also being reminded about an upcoming opportunity to safely dispose of household hazardous waste. The county’s hazardous waste facility is scheduled to open on Saturday, February 21. The facility accepts materials that should not be placed in household trash or poured down drains.

Accepted items include old or unused paint, batteries, pesticides, and other common household chemicals. These monthly openings are designed to reduce environmental risks and help keep dangerous substances out of landfills and local waterways. Residents are encouraged to gather qualifying items ahead of time and plan their drop-off to avoid improper disposal.

New Scam Text Warnings

State driver services officials are also warning residents about a separate scam involving text messages. These messages claim that a driver’s license has been suspended or is at risk of suspension and often urge the recipient to act immediately. Many include links that appear official but are designed to steal personal or financial information.

Officials advise residents not to click on any links in these messages. Anyone concerned about their license status should use official state services or verified apps rather than responding to unsolicited texts. Scammers often rely on urgency and fear to prompt quick reactions.

Community Reminder

Local agencies continue to stress a simple but effective rule: when in doubt, pause and verify. Whether the contact comes by phone, text, or another unexpected request for payment or personal information, taking a moment to confirm details through official channels can prevent costly mistakes. Staying cautious remains one of the strongest tools residents have against scams.

Sources

• https://www.daltonga.gov/police/page/dpd-warning-phone-scam
• https://www.dwswa.org/household-hazardous-waste-facility
• https://dds.georgia.gov/locations/dalton