Morris County Prosecutor Warns Residents of Phone Scams

Morris County Prosecutor Frederic M. Knapp issued a statement advising residents of an apparent telephone scam in Morris County.

At least one county resident was subject to the scam after receiving a telephone call in which the caller ID appeared to be someone calling from the Intern Revenue Service, Knapp said in the statement. The scam artist said the East Hanover resident owed money for back taxes and instructed the resident to obtain “re-load it cards” and give the caller access to the card and the money on it, according to the prosecutor’s office.

After receiving a call posing as an agent from the IRS, the resident received a subsequent call appearing to be coming from the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Knapp said. The caller identified himself as a police officer with the county prosecutor’s office and warned that the resident would be arrested if additional money was not paid using cashier’s checks, the prosecutor said.

Knapp advised residents that neither the prosecutor’s office, sheriff’s department, nor the IRS “would ever demand money over the telephone.” The prosecutor warned residents to be vigilant of any similar phone calls.

“No matter how persistent or convincing the caller may appear, residents are advised not to provide money, access to accounts or obtain debit cards which can be accessed by the caller,” Knapp said.

If any resident has been subject to similar telephone call, they are advised to contact their local police department or the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit at 973-285-6200.