Scam Alert: Essex Sheriff Warns Of Impersonators

ANDOVER, MA — The Essex County Sheriff's Department is warning of a phone scam where callers claim to be sheriff's deputies and request immediate payment. The impersonators say the payment is needed to resolve a legal matter, such as an arrest warrant for failure to report for jury duty. They ask for prepaid visa cards.

“At no time would an Essex County Sheriff’s Department employee call people to demand payment,” said Sheriff Kevin Coppinger, in a statement. “Callers demanding payment in a short amount of time is an obvious sign of a scam and illegal attempt to defraud citizens.”

Demanding a specific form of payment, like a prepaid visa card, is a common indicator of scams, as well. The scammers also provide a callback number that does not go to the sheriff's department.

"The Essex County Sheriff's Department is not making any such phone calls and we want to remind residents to never share any personal or financial information with strange callers and to hang up," the department said in the release.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.