Gloucester County Shefiff Carmel Morina is warning county residents of a recent increase in phone scams, including fake jury duty notices.
How the scam works:
• You receive a call from someone claiming to be from the sheriff’s office. They may even use a spoofed phone number that appears to be our official number to make it seem more realistic.
• The callers will identify themselves as officers who work for the sheriff’s office. Some callers play audio recordings of an individual claiming to be a judge.
• The scammer will state you have a legal issue, such as a bench warrant, unpaid bond or bail, a fine for missing jury duty or a civil fee. They will insist on paying immediately to avoid arrest.
• They will then instruct you to make a payment through an unusual method, such as a local kiosk, a third-party app (CashApp, Zelle etc.) or even over the phone.
The sheriff’s office will never request immediate payment over the phone or through online methods. The state only accepts payments at designated State Financial Windows. If you’re unsure about a call’s legitimacy, don’t share personal information or make payments. Hang up a a suspicious call immediately.
You can verify a caller’s legitimacy by contacting the sheriff’s office directly at (856) 384-4600.
How to protect yourself:
• Be wary of unsolicited calls, especially those claiming legal trouble or demanding immediate payment.
• Never give our personal information, Social Security numbers, or bank account details over the phone unless you are certain of the caller’s identity.
• If you are unsure, verify the information directly with the caller’s supposed agency or institution.
