Phone Scammers Pretending To Be Sheriff's Officers Target Morris County

LONG VALLEY, NJ— Phone scammers posing as Morris County Sheriff's officers have been targeting local residents, the real Morris County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

Someone claiming to be Sgt. Jackson, badge number 3319, has been calling Morris County residents, telling them they have an active bench warrant. The caller instructs residents to buy prepaid credit cards in specific amounts and bring them to 560 W. Hanover Ave. in Morris Twp.

“For the safety of all citizens, any warrant-related transactions should go through the Morris/Sussex Vicinage Probation Services Division. Residents should be aware that warrant detectives do not accept any payments from citizens,” Sheriff James M. Gannon said.

This scam is not new, and has been active in the county for three years. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a sheriff, report it to your local authorities.

The Sheriff's Office shared these tips to help avoid the scam:

• Be suspicious of callers who demand immediate payment for any reason.
• Remember that anyone who has the number on a Green Dot MoneyPak card, has access to the funds on the card.
• Never give out personal or financial information to anyone who emails or calls you unsolicited.
• Never wire money, provide debt or credit card numbers or Green Dot MoneyPak card numbers to someone you do not know.

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