Scammer Spoofs Middlesex Sheriff In $5K Scam: Police

MEDFORD, MA — The Middlesex Sheriff's Office on Monday issued a warning after a scammer spoofed its phone number and threatened a Dracut woman with arrest over a phony $5,000 tax debt. Police said the incident happened Wednesday.

"A scammer, claiming to be an IRS agent, called to inform her she owed money from taxes and indicated she would be arrested if the debt was not paid immediately," Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian and Dracut Police Chief Peter Bartlett said in a statement. "The woman was instructed to purchase $5,000 worth of pre-paid gift cards and provide the numbers to the caller."

The woman paid the phony debt, police said.

"The victim attempted to recoup the money, at which time the perpetrators spoofed a telephone number used by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office and claimed the victim was subject to arrest," Koutoujian said.

He added, “Nationwide, this has been a significant and growing issue. That’s why it’s important we get the word out that no legitimate law enforcement agency will ever threaten arrest over the phone, or demand a debt be paid with a gift card."

Said Bartlett, "These scammers can be incredibly convincing, and the best defense is to simply hang up the phone when you receive a threatening call from someone claiming to be from the IRS or a law enforcement agency. Police officers will never call you demanding money. Unfortunately, once money is sent to these individuals, it cannot be recovered, and this victim lost thousands of dollars."

Photo: Shutterstock