IRON STATION -- The Carolina Scoop first reported a couple of weeks ago letters that Trinity Farms residents were receiving with the Sheriff's Department and Crimestoppers logos were bogus, according to the subdivision's newsletter. Now the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office is investigating and may have found the source of the letters according to detective Sally Dellinger.

Dellinger said Thursday investigators know who sent the letters, and the people have been contacted and told not to send anymore letters. Charges may be pending in the case.

"They understand they're not to do this anymore," said Dellinger, adding that any official Sheriff's Office communication would contain the signature of the Sheriff. Tim Daugherty could not be reached for comment.

The bogus letters has Barry Schrum upset. He's the director and president of Crime Stoppers of Lincolnton/Lincoln County and said the incident may give the organization "a bad name." The letters warned residents of Trinity Farms they were violating several county ordinances. The Crimestoppers organization pays rewards of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest on any unsolved crime. A board decides on the amount of a reward and the whole process -- from tip to payment -- is handled anonymously.

Schrum said Crimestoppers isn't an enforcement division.

"It's upsetting that someone is sending out information with our logo," said Schrum.

More than 15 residences received the letters with complaints ranging from untagged vehicles to overgtrown grass. Currently, the county doesn't have ordinances on the books for such issues according to the Trinity Farms subdivision newsletter.

Residents are firing back. The Carolina Scoop has learned a couple of people have placed profanity-laced signs within Trinity Farms to express displeasure over the bogus letter scam.

Detective Dellinger said if anyone has received a fraudulent letter, call the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office at 704-732-9050