Sheriff: Beware of New Court Case Phone Scam

BOSCAWEN, NH — Sheriff Scott Hilliard of the Merrimack County Sheriff’s Department is warning county residents of a new phone scam where people are being asked to give up their personal information – like a credit card number – to elude arrest, according to a press statement. During the calls, the person – often a polite, male with a southern accent – said they work for the Merrimack County Sheriff’s Department and there was an active warrant for the arrest of the person, for various reasons. The reasons are jury duty, nonappearance, and even contempt of court, according to Hilliard. The man has been known to use the name “Lt. Frank Rogers” and sometimes has claimed to be an officer.

“It could be more than one person,” he noted. “Some calls have asked for bail money to be paid and not at the sheriff’s office but somewhere else. We don’t know of anyone who has actually paid this person.”

Hilliard added that while the sheriff’s office does serve warrants and can collect money, the scammers don’t work for the department. If you receive one of these calls, call the department’s dispatch center at 603-225-5584, speak with a police dispatcher, and confirm the warrant.

“We do not accept credit cards over the phone for warrants,” Hilliard stated. “If you get a call from a suspicious caller, ask them for a docket number and the court in question.”

Hilliard noted that the department has received “several complaints” about the new scam. He also warned residents to keep their personal information safe and contact sheriffs or police with any questions they may have or scamming incidents.

The Merrimack County Sheriff’s Department can be reached at 603-796-6600.

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