Hancock County Sheriff's Office

07/27/2026

‼️Please share with Family, Friends & Neighbors‼️

Today, Daniel Gross came into the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office to introduce himself. Daniel is a college student from Estonia that is doing a summer internship with Southwestern Advantage and will be going door to door selling educational resources as he works his way through college.

He will be selling

📚Study guides that help parents to help kids with Math & other subjects

📚Study guides that help children save time doing homework

📚Fun and educational kids' books from babies till the end of elementary school to give them a head start for preschool and kindergarten.

📚Advanced learning materials that help your child excel in AP classes and SAT and ACT.

Daniel is looking forward to meeting the residents of Hancock County!

02/05/2026

🚨 SCAM ALERT – HANCOCK COUNTY RESIDENTS 🚨

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office wants to make the public aware of an increase in a fraud/theft scheme known as “Check Washing.”

🧾 What is Check Washing?
Criminals steal checks from unsecured mailboxes, then use chemicals to erase the original ink. They change the payee name and often increase the amount, turning your check into a costly loss.

🔐 How to protect yourself:
✅ Use indelible gel ink pens with pigment-based ink
✅ Fill out checks completely — no blank spaces (draw a line through unused areas)
✅ Mail checks inside the Post Office or a USPS blue box, preferably just before last pickup
✅ Regularly review your bank accounts and statements
✅ Pay bills online when possible
✅ Shred old or canceled checks and unused checkbooks

📞 If you are a victim:
1️⃣ Contact your bank immediately
2️⃣ File a report with law enforcement
3️⃣ Report the theft to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service

Please share this post to help protect friends, family, and neighbors. Staying informed is the best defense. 💙👮‍♂️

Send a message to learn more

01/06/2026

🚨 SCAM ALERT – HANCOCK COUNTY RESIDENTS 🚨

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of an active door-to-door paving scam targeting homeowners, particularly elderly citizens.

⚠️ What’s Happening:
Individuals claiming to represent an asphalt company from Missouri are going door-to-door offering to chip and oil or resurface driveways. They often state they have “extra material left over from another job” and pressure homeowners to make an immediate decision.

After performing poor-quality or incomplete work, the individuals then present the homeowner with an unexpected and highly inflated invoice, sometimes demanding immediate payment.

❗ Common Warning Signs:
• High-pressure, on-the-spot offers
• No written contract or unclear paperwork
• Claims of “leftover materials”
• Out-of-state vehicles or companies
• Poor workmanship followed by excessive billing

✅ What You Should Do:
• Do not agree to unsolicited driveway work
• Do not allow unknown contractors onto your property
• Always request written estimates and verify local licensing
• Report suspicious activity immediately

📞 To report suspicious activity or if you believe you have been targeted, contact the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office at 217-357-2115.

Please help protect our community by sharing this alert, especially with elderly family members, friends, and neighbors.

🔒 Stay alert. Stay informed. Stay safe.

Send a message to learn more

12/25/2025