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The BankSouth Fraudcast continues its mission to bring real-world perspectives on fraud prevention from those working to protect our communities every day. In this episode, Bryce McCuin, Director of Marketing at BankSouth, speaks with Sheriff Donnie, Greene County Sheriff, whose decades-long career in law enforcement offers a frontline view of how fraud affects both citizens and local authorities.
Sheriff Donnie’s career in public service began early. At just 17, he joined the U.S. Army as a military policeman and served eight years before transitioning into civilian law enforcement in 1997. Over time, he worked his way from jailer to sheriff, officially taking office in 2016 after an appointment and subsequent election.
Public service runs deep in his family — with uncles in federal law enforcement and even an ancestor who served as a bounty hunter. For Sheriff Donnie, law enforcement is more than a career; it’s a calling. His lifelong passion for protecting others shapes how he approaches fraud prevention today.
When Sheriff Donnie first started, everything was done by hand — reports, mugshots, and records were all kept on paper. Today, nearly every aspect of law enforcement operates digitally, from fingerprint systems to cloud-based data management. While these tools make police work faster and more efficient, they also create new vulnerabilities.
Technology, he explains, is a double-edged sword. It has revolutionized how officers investigate and track crimes, but it’s also empowered criminals to use digital tools for scams and deception. As the sheriff puts it, “If you’re a criminal, your cell phone is a portable snitch.” Phones now hold evidence of movement, online activity, and communication — turning what used to be private into an investigator’s best lead.
Younger generations in law enforcement adapt to these tools quickly, helping bridge the gap between traditional policing and the digital realities of modern crime.
Fraud is growing faster than most realize. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), identity theft and fraud reports skyrocketed from 325,519 in 2001 to more than 6.4 million in 2024. Georgia now ranks #2 in the nation for identity theft, with 55,955 cases and $291.3 million in reported losses.
As Sheriff Donnie explains, both the volume and sophistication of scams continue to rise daily, making vigilance and education more crucial than ever.
Spoofed text messages pretend to be from trusted banks, companies or organizations, often claiming there’s an urgent issue and pressure you to click a link. This is a scam. Do not click the link or reply to the message. If you interacted with it or shared any information, contact the real organization directly using a verified phone number or website.
Legitimate businesses won’t send unexpected texts with suspicious links or pressure you to act immediately. If you’re ever unsure whether a message is real, stop, think it through, and call the organization using verified contact information, not what’s in the text.
These scams often begin with a phone call instructing victims to withdraw large sums of money from their bank accounts and hand it over to someone posing as a law enforcement officer or government agent. Criminals use fear and urgency, coaching victims to act quickly and avoid alerting bank staff.
Bank tellers are often the first line of defense. By questioning large or unusual withdrawals, they can prevent devastating losses before money changes hands. Sheriff Donnie recalls several cases in Greene County where quick action by banks and law enforcement made a difference — including one where $40,000 was recovered after police tracked the suspect’s vehicle using license plate readers. That arrest uncovered $76,000 in total and connected the suspect to a wider fraud ring under Secret Service investigation.
These scams often target older adults, particularly those in retirement communities.
This emotional scam preys on compassion and fear. Fraudsters impersonate grandchildren or relatives in distress, claiming to have been in an accident, arrested, or stranded abroad, and in urgent need of money. They often insist victims keep the situation secret, saying things like, “Don’t call my parents.”
In one local case, a grandmother nearly sent money to someone claiming to be her 8-year-old grandson who had supposedly “wrecked a car in the Philippines.” The scam was only stopped after she called her daughter to verify his safety. Today, criminals even use AI voice-mimic technology to make these impersonations more convincing. Read more about AI deepfake technology and scams.
Fraudsters rely on fear and urgency to override reason. As Sheriff Donnie explains, most victims aren’t careless; they’re responsible, law-abiding people who follow rules and want to do the right thing. Scammers use that sense of responsibility against them, claiming victims owe money or face arrest if they don’t act immediately.
His advice is simple but powerful:
“Slow down. Take a deep breath.”
“If it’s too good to be true, it is.”
“No law enforcement officer will ever demand money upfront to avoid arrest.”
Stopping fraud takes teamwork. Sheriff Donnie emphasized how vital it is for banks and law enforcement to work together. BankSouth’s frontline staff goes through continuous and rigorous training which plays an essential part in recognizing red flags and trusting their instincts when something feels wrong.
The Greene County Sheriff’s Office supports this proactive approach. Sheriff Donnie even provides his direct line, which connects to his personal cell phone, so bankers can reach him immediately if a situation looks suspicious. Deputies are ready to intervene before money is lost. The protection of your money is our top priority.
To expand public awareness, the sheriff’s office uses flyers based on BankSouth’s educational materials. These are posted at ATMs, Bitcoin kiosks, and gift card displays to warn residents not to deposit large sums into Bitcoin or share gift card numbers. Once those transactions happen, the money is nearly impossible to recover.
Fraud can’t be completely eliminated, but awareness and collaboration can greatly reduce its impact. Partnerships between banks and law enforcement are vital to protecting citizens and customers alike.
Sheriff Donnie summed it up best:
“You’re protecting your customers, and we’re protecting our citizens. That’s our shared goal.”
Join the BankSouth Fraud Watch monthly newsletter to stay informed about the latest scams, prevention tips, and fraud awareness updates as they are happening in the community. Fill out the form below to subscribe and help keep yourself and your community protected.
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