Watch Out For Scam Text Messages, Monmouth County Sheriff Warns

MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ — Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden is warning residents of scam text messages that are leading recipients to believe they're coming from the sheriff's office.

According to Golden, the fraudulent texts claim that the text recipient failed to appear in court and shows documents with the sheriff’s office logo on them.

The messages then instruct recipients to make payments at a convenience store kiosk in order for the charges to be dropped, authorities said.

“Please be advised that this is a scam,” Golden said. “The MSCO will never text or call anyone to ask for money or to make a payment through a kiosk, Apple Pay, a QR code, or Bitcoin.”

If you receive one of these messages, the sheriff’s office advises:

• Do not respond to the text
• Do not click on any links or provide personal information
• Do not make any payments

Suspicious messages can be reported to the Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau at 732-431-6400 ext. 1119.

“In regard to any scam, always use your best judgment,” Golden said. “If it doesn’t seem right, it’s probably not.”