Is sampsoncountync@public.govdelivery.com a Scam?

The Email Message

Emails from sampsoncountync@public.govdelivery.com are sent via a legitimate communication platform used by Sampson County Government. However, while the sender address itself belongs to a real service, it can still be involved in scams in two specific ways:

1. Verify Email Source

• Legitimate Use: Sampson County uses GovDelivery (by Granicus) to send newsletters, job opportunities, and official alerts. Emails from this address are often real if you have subscribed to county updates.
• Recent Breaches/Exploits: There have been reports of attackers "bombarding" emails or exploiting government alert systems to send phishing links that appear to come from legitimate .govdelivery.com addresses.

2. Red Flags

Even if the email address looks correct, it is likely a scam if it contains the following:

• Requests for Payment: The Sampson County Sheriff’s Office has explicitly warned that they never call or email to collect funds for warrants, missed jury duty, or criminal offenses.
• Urgent Threats: Messages using fear (e.g., "immediate arrest," "account suspended") to force you to click a link are common phishing tactics.
• Suspicious Links: Hover over any links; if they lead to a non-government website (anything other than sampsoncountync.gov), do not click.

What to Do

• Do Not Click: Avoid clicking links or downloading attachments from suspicious emails.
• Verify Directly: If you are unsure, visit the official Sampson County Government website directly or call the relevant department using a number found on their site.
• Report Fraud: You can report scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or contact the Sampson County Sheriff's Office at 910-592-4141.