Bergen Sheriff's Office Warns Of Warrant Phone Scam

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — The Bergen County Sheriff's Office is warning people about a new "open warrant" phone scam.

Several residents have complained to the office about phone calls they have gotten from people claiming to be sheriff officers with the "Division of Warrants and Citations."

Scammers have told people they are in contempt of court for failing to appear for an outstanding summons, resulting in a warrant being issued for their arrest.

The sheriff's office is investigating the scam.

"While the Bergen County Sheriff's Office is responsible for issuing warrants, the office does not have a 'Division of Warrants and Citations,'" said Sheriff Anthony Cureton. "It is very important to know that law enforcement and government agencies will never ask for money over the phone. If you receive this phone call, hang up immediately and notify the Bergen County Sheriff's Office."

The sheriff's office advises people who receive such scamming calls to:

• Never give out personal or identifying information over the phone
• Do not give out a credit card number or bank account information to an unsolicited caller
• Do not say anything if a caller starts the call asking, "Can you hear me?" This is a comma tactic for scammers to record someone saying,"yes." Scammers record a "yes" response and use it as proof that someone agreed to a purchase or credit card charge.
• Hang up immediately if asked to wire money or pay with a prepaid debit card.

Anyone who think they were exposed to this or a similar type of fraud is asked to contact either their local police department or the Bergen County Sheriff's Office at 201-646-2222. Tips can also be texted to 274637.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com