Northampton County Sheriff’s Office recently received complaints advising that people were told they would go to jail if they didn’t pay a fee over the phone or that they have missed jury duty and will be arrested.
The callers even portrayed themselves as a law enforcement officer or deputy.
Anyone who is unsure with whom they may be talking should hang up and call the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office directly at 757-678-0458, Doughty said.
“Our deputies encourage you to verify who you are speaking with,” he said. “Our dispatchers work 24/7 and would be happy to answer your call. If you are concerned that a person in front of you isn’t who they say they are, ask to see their identification and then call the employer to confirm their identity. No law enforcement officer is going to contact you on the phone trying to collect money for fines. It’s a scam.”
Scammers may already know a lot about you or the person they’re pretending to be. They may know your name, where you live, and other information they could have found on social media sites or by hacking a family member’s email, and sometimes they simply guess. They will usually say the person being contacted has to pay right away by wiring money, sending a money order, paying with gift cards or reloadable cards, or using cryptocurrency.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, these are other tactics scammers use in fake emergency scams:
- The scammers usually involve an “authority figure,” like a fake lawyer, police officer, or doctor. They think it makes them sound more convincing, and it scares victims.
- The scammers say it’s urgent and that victims are the only ones who can help.
- They will say it’s important to keep it secret. This is to prevent victims from talking to other family members and friends and realizing it’s a scam.
- Scammers play with a victim’s emotions. They’re counting on those contacted to act quickly to help family or friends.
Report any incidents to the sheriff’s office, as well to the Federal Trade Commission at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/