Scam Alert: Criminals Pose As Middlesex Sheriff's Office

By JASON CLAFFEY (Patch Staff)

Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian issued a scam alert on Thursday, saying criminals have been impersonating members of his department.

The scam involves a person saying he or she is from the Middlesex Sheriff’s office and demanding victims pay outstanding debts or face arrest.

“The recent round of calls varies slightly in nature, with some individuals reporting they were threatened with arrest for failure to pay a debt, while in others for failure to attend jury duty,” Koutoujian said in a statement. “In each case, the perpetrators indicated the only way to avoid arrest was to pay money.

“At no time will a legitimate member of law enforcement ever threaten arrest or demand payment for debt over the phone. Nationwide, these scams have become more prevalent and they show no signs of abating.”

Koutoujian said there’s been an uptick in these calls across the county over the last few days. He added the calls are almost impossible to trace.

Victims or those with questions are asked to contact the sheriff’s investigative unit at 978-932-3106.