Beware of Bankruptcy Phone Scam

New Hampshire Attorney General Joseph Foster issues the following caution for people who have filed or may soon file for bankruptcy: There is an on-going telephone scam related to individuals who have filed bankruptcy papers in court.

The scammers, according to a press statement, are apparently using information from public filings in the bankruptcy court, will call a person who has filed for bankruptcy, claiming to be that person’s lawyer, the lawyer’s partner or a member of their law office staff. Using software that can affect a person’s caller ID system, they make it appear that the call is actually coming from the person’s lawyer.

The scammers instruct the unwitting consumer to immediately wire money to satisfy a debt. The calls may be made late in the evening or during non-business hours so the person receiving the call cannot contact his or her lawyer to confirm the request.

Any person who receives such a call should not wire funds and should contact their lawyer as soon as possible. Scams should also be reported to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Bureau at 1-888-468-4454.

Consumers with consumer-related complaints or concerns can call the Attorney General’s Consumer Information Line at 1-888-468-4454 or file a complaint online at doj.nh.gov/consumer/complaints/index.htm.