Mantua police are warning residents to be aware of a scam involving fraudulent callers who claim to be from the department or from the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office.
Scammers are impersonating staff of the office, sometimes identifying themselves to victims with a real law-enforcement name or rank. The caller then asks for the fraudulent payment of a fine or warrant, claims that the victim missed jury duty or failed to appear as a court witness, and insists he or she has active warrants and must report to the county justice complex in Woodbury or other location.
“They tell them (victims) they need to come to the sheriff’s office in Woodbury to pay it and request that the person stays on the phone with them the entire time while driving there,” said Police Chief Darren White.
Police believe that scammers are instructing victims to stop at a store and purchase several gift cards as payment.
“They would instruct the person to provide them with the numbers on the gift card in order to take care of the fine/warrant,” White explained. “These scammers generally try to create a sense of urgency by advising the victim that if they don’t pay, officers will be showing up at their residence to arrest them.”
While no one in Mantua has yet been victimized by an impersonator, both the police department and the sheriff’s office are warning that the scams may be set-ups not only for robberies, but also potential assaults.
Officials advise that law enforcement would not communicate by phone to request a meeting at a specified location or request payments, gift cards or personal information.
“People need to remember that no real government agency will ever ask to be paid in gift cards, nor would they act in the manner as described, even if there were an outstanding fine or warrant,” White advised.
“If someone claims to be a sheriff’s officer or sergeant and pressures you to pay right away, it’s a scam,” the county said in a statement. “Stay alert, protect your information and spread the word to family and neighbors.”
Anyone who has concerns or would like to report a scam, call the police at (856) 589-0911 or the sheriff’s office at (856) 384-4600.
