Beware of scam calls from fake police officers, warns Bergen County sheriff

Bergen County is seeing a surge in scam phone calls from imposters impersonating law enforcement officers who try to convince residents they are in contempt of court to collect money.

Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton said about 40 people have fallen for the scam and have lost a combined total of $52,000.

The scammers are specifically impersonating Bergen County Sheriff's officers, and correctional institutions in New Jersey and in some cases, have even used the names of active and retired police officers.

The scammers say they are from a law enforcement agency and calling to inform the individual who answered the call that they are in contempt of court for missing jury duty, have failed to appear in court or another urgent legal matter, Cureton said.

"They then threaten the victim with arrest unless they pay immediately, often requesting payment via wire transfer, prepaid gift cards, or other untraceable methods," Cureton said.

The scams have become sophisticated, and in some instances, the caller ID number makes it look as if a real law enforcement agency is calling.

Some victims have reported receiving fraudulent court and warrant documents through email. In one scam phone recording, the caller identifies himself as "Chief Deputy Dale Hawthorne of the Bergen County Sheriff's Department." No such person works for the department, Cureton said.

The voice message left for people by the fake chief deputy leaves a phone number for callbacks. When that number is dialed, a recorded message informs the caller to leave their name and number and that they have reached the Bergen County Sheriff's Office non-emergency dispatch and to call 911 if it's an emergency, as a real police department would do.

The Bergen County Sheriff's Office has recorded one of the scam calls and has made it available for listening on its website at www.bcsd.us .

Residents are advised to hang up if they receive such a call and write down the number of the caller.

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“The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, or any legitimate law enforcement agency, will never demand payment over the phone or threaten arrest in this manner,” Cureton said.

Residents should never provide personal or financial information. Anyone who has been targeted by this scam is urged to report it to the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office or their local police department.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Beware of scam calls from fake police officers, warns Bergen County sheriff