Atlantic County, NJ, Sheriff’s Warn Residents About A Scam

Atlantic County Sheriff Joe O’Donoghue is warning about a scam that is currently taking place all over the state of New Jersey.

Here’s How The Scam Works

Atlantic County Sheriff Joe O’Donoghue photo.

Active Phone Scam

Harry Hurley photo.

This phone scam is particularly disturbing as the perpetrators are generating phone calls, whereby they impersonate being a law enforcement officer.

How The Scam Works

New Jersey Sheriff’s Association photo.

Caller ID Spoofing

Scammers manipulate the caller ID system and are making callers that display as coming directly from the Sheriff’s office.

Real Names Are Being Used

Atlantic County Sheriff’s Department photo.

The fraudsters are using actual current or retired Sheriff Officer’s names when placing the fake phone calls.

Intimidating Tactics Are Being Used

You may receive a threat about:

• An outstanding arrest warrant.
• Missed Grand Jury Duty appearance.
• Unpaid taxes.
• Unpaid court fine or fee.

The goal of the fraudsters is to make you scared and believe that something bad is about to happen to you.

Even Faked Documents

in some cases, you may actual receive fake court documents, that will contain court seals and perhaps the name of a retired judge on the forged documents.

Finally, The Demand For Money

Your present circumstances will be made to appear precarious.

The fraudster will make an immediate demand for money, via cash, wire transfer, gift cards, or, cryptocurrency — otherwise they threaten that you will be arrested.

Atlantic County Sheriff Joe O’Donoghue Warns

Atlantic County Sheriff’s Department photo.

O’Donoghue warns that this is not how legitimate law enforcement works.

If you receive a phone call such as described above, hang-up the phone and immediately call The Atlantic County Sheriff's Office main number at (609) 909-7207.

SOURCE: Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office.