Scam Alert: Callers Using Sheriffs Information

With the Holidays upon us, Sheriff David Doughty wants to remind you to stay vigilant against scams. 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.

Sheriff David L. Doughty, asks that if you are unsure who you may be talking with, to hang up and call the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office directly at 757-678-0458. “Our deputies encourage you to verify who you are speaking with. Our dispatchers work 24/7 and would be happy to answer your call. If you are concerned that a person in front of you is 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.”

The scammer 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, by hacking a family member’s email, and sometimes they simply guess. They will usually say you have to pay right away by wiring money, sending a money order, paying with gift cards or reloadable cards, and cryptocurrency. According to the Federal Trade Commission, here 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 you.

The scammers say it’s urgent and that you’re the only one who can help.

They will tell you it’s important to keep it secret. They tell you that because they don’t want you talking to other family members and friends and realizing it’s a scam.

Scammers play with your emotions. They’re counting on you to act quickly to help your family or friends. They are counting on you to pay without stopping to check out whether there’s really an emergency. If you get a call like this, you can be sure this is a scam.

Report any of these incidents to the Sheriff’s Office as well to the Federal Trade Commission at http://reportfraud.ftc.gov/.

Sheriff Doughty urges residents to be cautious with phone calls of people asking for money or personal information. If you believe you’ve been a victim, contact Northampton County Sheriff’s Office at 757-678-0458.