Recent Phone Scam Imitates Sheriff’s Department to Steal Personal Info

Tuesday, August 04, 2015

Patrick Sargent, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

For the second time in just over three months, Worcester County residents are receiving phone calls from scam artists identifying themselves as a representative from the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. The caller is placing fradulent phone calls in an attempt to obtain credit card and personal information from unsuspecting recipients.

“In recent months scam artists have attempted to use the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office name and phone number as a method to harass and fraudulently demand payment from unsuspecting individuals. Our department does not contact residents and demand payment or ask for credit card information. Today’s scam artists are always trying to stay ahead of the curve, residents need to beware of any unsolicited calls that ask for their credit card information.” Said Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis.

According to the Sheriff's Office, the calls which use current phone app technology, display a valid Worcester County Sheriff’s Office number and threaten victims with fines and jail time if they do not comply. These phone calls are fraudulent and are not connected with the United States Court of Federal Claims or the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office does not contact residents and demand payments or ask for credit card information on behalf of the Courts and is asking residents to be vigilant against this most recent scam.

Federal and State courts do not require anyone to provide any sensitive information in a telephone call or email. Most contact from federal or state courts is done through the U.S. mail and any phone contact by real court officials will not include requests for Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, or any other sensitive information. Persons receiving such a telephone call or email should not provide the requested information. Recent phone scams have also included fraudulent calls regarding IRS non-payment as well as non-compliance with Jury Duty.