Phone Scamster Poses As Essex County Cop, Authorities Issue Warning

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — If you get a call or text from “Sgt. Blake Anderson” of the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, there’s a good chance it’s a scam, authorities are warning residents.

Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura recently issued an advisory about fraudulent phone calls and text messages that have been going out in the area.

According to police, someone has been identifying himself as an Essex County sheriff’s officer with the fictitious name, “Sgt. Blake Anderson.”

The fraudulent caller has been saying that a juror failed to appear in court and that the judge issued a contempt of court order – stating that an affidavit needed to be filled out at the sheriff’s office. The caller later texts a fake summons for juror duty order.

Fontoura asked the public not to provide personal information or payment to anyone claiming to be affiliated with the Essex County sheriff’s office.

Here are some important tips to keep in mind, authorities said:

• Anyone who contacts a resident about a legal issue in Essex County and requests payment electronically is a scam.
• Never provide financial or personal information via telephone.
• If you never received a summons via mail, ignore the phone call and call the Essex County Sheriff’s Office at 973-621-4111 to report this occurrence.
• Be aware even if the caller ID says “Essex County Sheriff’s Office” this does not mean it is from the Essex County Sheriff’s Office as scammers can spoof the Caller ID.

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