Jury Duty, IRS Phone Scams Heat Up Again: Ocean County Sheriff

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The Ocean County sheriff's office is issuing warnings about phone scams that are heating up again — including one in which the callers claim to be from the county sheriff's department.

Telephone scams are persistent problem, but the sheriff's office said in a post this week on Facebook that they have ramped up again.

The scams cover a wide range from those claiming to be with the IRS to those claiming there are problems with your computer. All demand immediate payments, usually with threats of some kind.

The sheriff's office said those scams took a more personal turn this week, with scammers claiming to be from the sheriff's office.

"Anyone that receives a phone call from a Lieutenant Alexander, he does not work for our office," the sheriff's office posted on its Facebook page. "Do not accept any offers over the phone. Any questions, please call our office at 732-349-2010."

The Asbury Park Press reported the scam appears to be one similar to one from January where the caller told victims they had missed jury duty and had to pay a fine or go to jail. The scam took more than $250,000 from victims, the report said.

"We are letting the public know that there once again is a large increase in phone scams," the sheriff's office said. "We urge you not to agree on any solicitations over the phone and report any illegal activity to your local law enforcement. Any concerns can be addressed to our office at 732-929-2044 or 732-349-2010."

Here are some tips to avoid being scammed (or prevent a loved one from being taken in):

1. Avoid answering calls from numbers you don't recognize.
2. Don't call back numbers you don't recognize.
3. Don't confirm any personal information and never give out Social Security, Medicare or financial account information over the phone.
4. Don't return calls that claim to be from the IRS, the Social Security Administration, your bank or a local police or sheriff's department. If you are worried, look up the phone number for the agency. Do not call back a number left on voicemail.
5. Be leery about anyone calling on the phone about any emergency involving a family member or friend. Get a phone number to call back, then verify the whereabouts and safety of the person the call is about.
6. Don't press any numbers to stop calls. That will likely increase the number of robocalls you get, signaling to the scammers they've reached an active number.
7. Change your voicemail message so it doesn't reveal your name or other personal information. If you want a legitimate caller to know they've reached you, go ahead and put your phone number on the message.
8. Report robocalls and other unwanted calls with the FTC, by phone at (888) 382-1222 or (877) 382-4357, or online.
9. The FCC also has tips on how to stop unwanted and illegal robocalls.

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