Middlesex County Sheriff Says Scammers Are Posing As Members Of His Office

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MA — A Massachusetts sheriff's office is warning of an uptick in yet another scam.

The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office told the public on Monday that they've received reports that signal a "significant uptick in reported scam calls in which perpetrators are posing as members of the office."

During June, the MSO’s Inner Perimeter Security (IPS) team reported receiving 59 complaints of scammers posing as officers or deputies, the most recently reported to the office in a single month, officials said.

Of those 59 people, one person reported losing more than $1,700 to the scam.

"These law enforcement impersonation scams are persistent and widespread, with fraudsters often telling targets they are subject to arrest for things like failing to pay taxes or outstanding fines; failing to show for jury duty; or failing to participate in court hearings as expert witnesses," officials said, in a news release. "In some instances, they may tell individuals with professional licenses – such as medical or mental health professionals – that those licenses may be revoked as a result of these failures."

Officials said that, in almost all cases, the scammers will tell targets that they can avoid arrest if they pay fines and fees and will pressure them to pay immediately, utilizing cryptocurrency, gift cards or via wire transfer.

Scammers will frequently lend additional authenticity to this fraud by utilizing the names of real officers, spoofing the telephone numbers of law enforcement agencies, or even telling victims to report to addresses associated with law enforcement entities, officials note.

"If you receive one of these messages, please know that no legitimate law enforcement agency will ever threaten arrest over the phone, via text or email, or demand you pay a fine using one of these means," said Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian. "These are tell-tale signs of a scam. If you receive one of these calls or messages, disconnect right away, don’t click on any links and never provide any personal or financial information."