Subpoena Phone Scam Hits Area, Middlesex Sheriff Warns

NATICK, MA — Another phone scam is making the rounds in the area, according to police, and this time scammers are trying to collect bond money owed from failing to respond to a subpoena.

But as with all scams like these, there's no bond, and never was a subpoena.

The Middlesex County Sheriff's office says that at least one person, a Billerica woman, has reported such a call. In it, a person using the name of a retired Middlesex County New Jersey officer demanded payment.

The woman hung up on the fake cop, but he called back. The number that showed up on her caller ID read "Middlesex County Sheriff," but police say that the scammers use a method called "spoofing" to trick caller ID.

"As these scams evolve and spread, it’s critical that residents be aware of the underlying similarities so that they can protect themselves and their hard-earned money,” Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian said in a statement. "In this case, the intended victim immediately recognized this was a scam and notified us, allowing us to alert the public."

The subpoena scam is similar to others that have circulated, where scammers ask for money to pay nonexistent IRS bills, or tickets issued from missing jury duty.

If you get a scam subpoena call, contact the sheriff's office at (781) 960-2800.