Mercer County Sheriff Warns Against New Spate Of Telephone Scams

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — Over the past week, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office has received numerous complaints from residents reading telephone scammers posing as County Sheriff’s Officers.

The scammers, copying the main telephone number of the agency on caller-ID, identify themselves as captains or lieutenants within the ranks of the Mercer County Sheriff’s Officers, said Sheriff Jack Kemler.

The callers state they have an important legal matter to discuss, an active arrest warrant, or a pending charge of failure to report to the court and suggest meeting at a location and bringing cash or money vouchers for bail or fines, Kemler said. The scammers warn residents that failure to do so could result in them being taken into custody.

“This is fraud, and I can state with confidence the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office will never call anyone and ask for money or vouchers related to a court matter,” Kemler said.

The department said it is difficult to crack down on telephone scammers because calls are often generated from phone banks located out of the state. While the calls remain under investigation, the Sheriff asked residents to “exercise common sense.”

“If a resident suspects a telephone call may be a scam, hang up. Never agree to give money over the phone or share personal information,” Kemler said.

Anyone who receives such a call should report the incident to the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center at 609-989-6111.

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