“Answering the phone ‘Sheriff’s Department, Fraud Division’ sure has slowed down the telemarketer calls”

Almost everyone hates getting a phone call from a telemarketer. “Answering the phone ‘Sheriff’s Department, Fraud Division’ sure has slowed down the telemarketer calls” is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images. The telemarketer, upon listening to this, would instantly realize that that it would be best to immediately end the call.
   
“I saw a poster on one of my friend’s wall and it struck me funny. ‘I answer the phone: ‘Sheriff’s Department: Fraud Division’ and it has ended my telemarketer calls’” was posted on Facebook by Pizza “Ria’s” Too on July 11, 2018. “Answering the phone ‘sheriff’s department, fraud division’ Sure has slowed down the telemarketer calls” was posted on X/Twitter by MrsBootsBoots on July 13, 2018. Authorship of the joke is unknown.
 
   
Facebook
Pizza “Ria’s” Too
July 11, 2018 at 10:37 AM ·
I saw a poster on one of my friend’s wall and it struck me funny.
“I answer the phone: ‘Sheriff’s Department: Fraud Division’ and it has ended my telemarketer calls.”
I recently purchased a new car after doing several internet searches and our phone has been ringing four or five times a day.
We were home just a short time when the phone rang and I decided to give it a try so I answered:“Sheriff’s Department: Fraud Division, How may I direct your call?”  I was greeted with silence and then hung up on.  Lol 🙂
 
X/Twitter
Michael Rolland
@michael_ryan11
So I saw it and didn’t think this would work but a telemarketer calls just pick up and say “Sheriff’s department fraud division” Then they will hang up not saying a word it has worked all day
7:09 PM · Jul 11, 2018
 
Facebook
Jeff Walker
July 12, 2018 at 5:15 AM ·
Since I began answering unknown numbers with “Sheriff’s Department Fraud Division,”
my telemarketer calls have gone WAY down!
🙌
     
X/Twitter
MrsBootsBoots
@MrsBootsBoots
Answering the phone “sheriff’s department, fraud division” Sure has slowed down the telemarketer calls
8:50 PM · Jul 13, 2018
 
X/Twitter
☦︎ Impending Ðave ☦︎
@Messenjah36
tip: when answering the phone try
“Sheriff’s Department, Fraud Division,” it should slow down the telemarketer calls for you.
but beware it could be also be the actual Sheriff calling you and then ironically charging you with fraud.
1:20 AM · Jul 14, 2018
 
X/Twitter
Avrumy Jordan
@AvrumyJ
Answering the phone “Sheriff’s department, fraud division, how can I help you?” Has really slowed down the telemarketing phone calls.  #LifeThoughts #telemarketer #Pranks
6:55 AM · Jul 19, 2018
 
X/Twitter
Sean Moore
@SeanWMoore
Answering the phone “Police Department, Fraud Division”, sure has slowed down the telemarketer calls!
😎
2:38 PM · Jul 24, 2018
 
X/Twitter
🦋867-5309🦋
@American_Jeny20
Answering the phone… “Sheriff’s Department, fraud division”,  sure has slowed down the telemarketer calls
😋🤪🤣
10:27 AM · Aug 7, 2018
 
Newspapers.com
31 August 2018, The Republican (Springfield, MA), “Pickles” by Brian Crane, pg. D5, col. 1:
(A comic strip is shown. An old man answers the phone and says, “SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, FRAUD DIVISION. WHO’S CALLING?” The caller hangs up and the man tells his wife, “PROBABLY A TELEMARKETER.”—ed.)
   
Facebook
RiverTunes Community ·
Michael Hawkeye Herman ·
October 8, 2018 at 2:38 AM ·
(...)
Answering the phone, “Sheriff’s Department, Fraud Division” sure has slowed down the telemarketer phone calls.
   
Reddit -Soundboardpranks
LJPTechYoutube—October 27, 2023
Fred Herbert: Everrry day…EVERRRRY DAY!
(A comic strip is shown. An old man answers the phone and says, “SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, FRAUD DIVISION. WHO’S CALLING?” The caller hangs up and the man tells his wife, “PROBABLY A TELEMARKETER.”—ed.)
 
iFunny
EdwardMullin_2024
25 may 2024
Answering the phone “Sheriff’s Department, Fraud Division” sure has slowed down the telemarketer calls.
     
America’s Best Pics and Videos
JonyOsborne
5 sep 2025
Answering the phone “Sheriff’s Department, Fraud Division” sure has slowed down the telemarketer calls.
 
X/Twitter
Bob Kostic
@causticbob
Answering the phone “Sheriff’s Department, Fraud Division” sure has slowed down the telemarketer calls.
6:45 PM · Nov 8, 2025