EPD Warns Residents, Businesses of Fraudulent Calls Impersonating Chief Bennett
Elkins, WV, July 7, 2025: The Elkins Police Department (EPD) is warning the community about an ongoing telephone scam in which fraudsters are impersonating Police Chief Travis Bennett to solicit money. These calls have been reported since the Fourth of July weekend.
Reports have indicated that at least one person has been calling businesses, falsely identifying themselves as Chief Bennett, and requesting money. EPD has not, does not, and will not solicit payments or donations over the phone.
If residents or businesses receive such a call, or text:
- Hang up immediately.
- Do not provide personal or financial information.
- Report suspicious calls to the Elkins Police Department at (304) 636-0678.
EPD and City of Elkins officials are urging the community to remain vigilant and share this advisory with other residents who are at risk of being targeted.

Elkins Resident First ‘SWINGO’ Winner
ELKINS, W.Va. — June 21, 2026 — Elkins resident Ivy Biswas became the first person in Randolph County to complete her “SWINGO” board a few seconds after midnight this morning, when she checked in at the Almost Heaven Swing at nearby Camp Pioneer […]
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City Hall News: Week of June 21, 2026
ELKINS, W.Va. — June 20, 2026 — Happy West Virginia Day! The City of Elkins thanks the Elkins-Randolph County Chamber, Citizens Promoting Community, other nonprofits, and local businesses for their work decorating downtown in anticipation of the United States’ 250th anniversary. City […]
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Mayor Marco Honors Elkins Swim Teams After Girls’ 3-Peat and Boys’ Runner-Up Finish
ELKINS, W.Va. — June 17, 2026 — This morning, Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco congratulated the Elkins High School swim teams for a successful year. In February, the Lady Tigers won their third consecutive state Division II championships, holding off Elkview’s Herbert Hoover High […]
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City Hall News: Week of June 14, 2026
ELKINS, W.Va. — June 13, 2026 — The City of Elkins is joining the Elkins-Randolph County Chamber, Citizens Promoting Community, and other nonprofits in asking downtown businesses to decorate their storefronts in anticipation of the United States’ 250th anniversary. Please contact the […]
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City of Elkins Monthly Newsletter: Reprint, June 2026
If you prefer to have the latest news in Elkins consolidated into a newsletter sent to your email inbox 12 times a year, then please sign up for our monthly newsletter. You can also view past editions here. If your community organization […]
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City Hall News: Week of June 7, 2026
ELKINS, W.Va. — June 6, 2026 — Elkins City Hall urges residents and business owners to sign up for emergency text alerts. Anyone with a mobile phone can receive important alerts including weather warnings, street closures, and water outages. Subscribers to these […]
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