Scammer Faked Calls From Essex County Sheriff’s Office: Authorities

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — An impostor recently ran phone scams on several Essex County residents by identifying himself as a member of the local sheriff’s office, authorities say.

On Thursday, Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura issued a public safety service announcement about phony calls requesting money for outstanding warrants.

According to Fontoura, fraudulent calls went out to residents this week, where the caller introduced himself as a member of the Essex County Sheriff’s Office. The fraudulent caller stated that there was a warrant out for the resident’s arrest, and they needed to pay a fine to satisfy it.

It was a scam, Fontoura said.

Fontoura urged people not to provide personal information or payment to anyone calling and claiming to be affiliated with the Essex County Sheriff’s Office. Nobody from the sheriff’s office will call a resident requesting money, he added.

Fontoura reminded Essex County residents of the following safety tips:

1. Anyone who contacts a resident about a legal issue in Essex County and requests payment electronically is a scam.
2. Never provide financial or personal information via telephone.
3. If you have never received a summons via mail, ignore the phone call and call the Essex County Sheriff’s Office at 973-621-4111 to report this occurrence.
4. Be aware even if the caller ID says “Essex County Sheriff’s Office” this does not mean it is from the Essex County Sheriff’s Office as scammers can spoof the Caller ID.

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