Sheriff: Beware Of Phony Arrest Threat For Money Scam

BRENTWOOD, NH — Sheriff Michael Hureau wants to remind residents to be careful with their personal information. We have received multiple queries from county residents reporting they had received a call informing them that they needed to contact a deputy regarding a warrant for their arrest. The caller ID on the answering machine showed a telephone number that is ours at the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office. This is a spoofing attack to scare victims to release money to criminals over the telephone by mimicking an actual official telephone number.

The Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office is reminding residents who receive these telephone calls from individuals claiming to be members of the Sheriff’s Office or law enforcement demanding money in lieu of arrest to contact the local police department or the Sheriff's Office through the publicly listed telephone numbers for verification.

The Sheriff’s Office will not request money to be delivered to accounts in the jail, nor do we request money be given to a Deputy in lieu of arrest. If a person is arrested and bail has been set by the court, a Deputy may advise a person over the telephone of their bail which will be processed by a bail commissioner who is not a member of the Sheriff’s Office. This process will take place at the Sheriff’s Office, the Rockingham County Jail, or at a local police department. Deputies will not accept money in lieu of an arrest. Deputies will not ask for money cards or funds to be transferred to accounts.

One individual was given a telephone number to call back with a message claiming to be the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office. These scams can be very complex and when we called the number back it included the Sheriff's Office recorded telephone directory. A simple thing that you can do when you get these numbers is to type it into an internet search engine. You will probably find that others have received the same call under similar circumstances throughout the country.

If you are contacted by someone requesting money from the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, please contact us at 603-679-2225 or contact your local police department.

Submitted by Michael G. Hureau, the High Sheriff Rockingham County

Image via Shutterstock.