Sheriff Warns Morris County Residents of a Continuing Phone Scam

Published on November 30, 2018

SHERIFF'S OFFICE WILL NEVER SOLICIT METHODS OF PAYMENT AND PERSONAL IDENTIFIERS OVER THE PHONE

The Morris County Sheriff's Office is advising the Morris County community to be aware of a continuing phone scam that is targeting residents in our, as well as communities across the state and nation.

(PNG, 239KB)In the most recent scam calls, the caller (sometimes via voice message) uses an agency number for Caller ID and identify himself or herself as an employee of the Morris County Sheriff's Office.

The caller says the resident has an outstanding debt and demands immediate payment using a prepaid credit card. The caller states if a resident cannot pay, he or she must turn surrender to authorities, and sometimes provides an address of a section of the Sheriff's Office.

"In the event these fraudulent calls are received, residents should never give their personal or financial information over the phone, nor should they arrange to meet someone to provide a prepaid credit card,'' said Sheriff James M. Gannon. The Morris County Sheriff's Office will never solicit methods of payment and/or personal identifiers over the phone.

In 2017, and in January and May of this year, similar scams surfaced with callers posing as Sheriff's officers. They sought personal information and Green Dot MoneyPak cards for false warrants, civil process fees, overdue IRS payments and non-appearance for jury duty.

Morris County residents should notify local authorities if they receive these calls. Any suspicious calls regarding the Morris County Sheriff's Office also can be directed to 973-285-6600 during the day and 973-285-2900 after hours for verification of agency personnel.

ALL AGENCY INFORMATION AND CONTACTS CAN BE ACCESSED AND VERIFIED THROUGH THE MORRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE WEBSITE AT WWW.SHERIFF.MORRISCOUNTYNJ.GOV

Crime Prevention Tips to Help Avoid Falling Victim to this Scam:

  • Legitimate law enforcement agencies will not tell people to provide money card information to avoid arrest.
  • Be suspicious of callers who demand immediate payment for any reason.
  • Never give out personal or financial information to anyone who emails or calls you unsolicited.
  • Never wire money, provide debt or credit card numbers or Green Dot Money Pak card numbers to someone you do not know.
  • Remember that anyone who has the number on a Green Dot Money Pak card, has access to the funds on the card.
  • If you have received a phone scam call, try to gather names, the phone number and location given, and report it to your local police.

Report tips and remain anonymous by contacting

The Morris County Sheriff's CrimeStoppers at:

973-COP-CALL or www.copcall.org from your mobile device.

NO ONE WILL ASK YOUR NAME!

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