Phantom Debt Phone Scams Increasing In Bergen County: Prosecutor

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Authorities warned residents about increasing phone scams involving fake debts.

The scam involves criminals impersonating law firms, judges, court officials or debt collectors. They call someone and threaten him or her, saying they owe a debt and try to convince them to send the money.

The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office received a report from a resident recently who received such a phone call.

A woman who said her name was "Ms. Jackson" called the resident and knew her first and last name, authorities said. "Ms. Jackson" said she was a detective with the Bergen County District Attorney's Office Restitution and Hot Checks Section, which does not exist. She said the woman owed $300 for not appearing in court.

Interest and court fees made the total $630, authorities said. The caller said a warrant would be issued for her arrest if the debt was not paid in full.

The resident hung up, called the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office and reported what happened.

Authorities offered various tips to people to ensure they do not become a victim of such a scam:

• Be suspicious of callers making threatening calls claiming requiring you to pay money that you do not owe.
• Be wary of anyone who asks you to wire money or load a rechargeable money or gift card as a way to pay back debt.
• Add your phone numbers to the National Do Not Call Registry. This will not stop all unsolicited calls, but will stop most, authorities said.
• If your number is on the registry and you still get calls, hang up and report them at donotcall.gov.

Anyone who does receive an unsolicited call and suspect it is a fraud, or if you are the victim of a scam, report it to your local police department.

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