Sheriff Warns 'Grand Jury' Scam On The Rise Across The Hudson Valley

DUTCHESS COUNTY, NY — The Dutchess County Sheriff's Office is warning residents in Dutchess County and nearby areas about the latest scam making its rounds in the region.

In the new scam, the perpetrators have been posing as deputies from the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office, and contacting a victim to tell them that they or a family member failed to appear for a Grand Jury and are wanted on a warrant. The perpetrators then tell the victim that they can satisfy the warrant by handing over money.

The Sheriff's Office reminds residents to not send any money to anyone that you don't know until you've confirmed the situation through an independent source and feel comfortable with it. If it is indeed a scam, once the money is sent, it will be very difficult, and most times impossible, to get back.

The Sheriff’s Office offered the following general tips to help avoid these scams:

• NEVER meet up with someone that you don't know after they've contacted for money; if you’re asked to do this, it is surely a scam, and it is very dangerous as well.
• Legitimate law enforcement would not attempt to satisfy a warrant by either soliciting money or making promises to avoid prosecution.
• If you're contacted by someone you don't know asking for money, for any reason, it's very likely a scam.
• If you receive correspondence from someone that you don’t know and they instruct you to keep the matter confidential and not tell anyone about it, it's most likely a scam.
• Emails or text messages that contain misspelled words, grammatical errors, don't make sense, or are sent at odd hours — for example the middle of the night — are most likely scams.
• If you receive an email or text about an order you didn't place or that asks you to send money, call the company using a legitimate number. DO NOT follow the instructions in the email, click on any links in the email, or call the number provided in the email.
• If someone you don't know asks you to purchase merchandise, transfer money, provide bank information, provide remote computer access, enter a code, or click on a link given to you by them, use caution as it is likely a scam.
• If someone calls you and tells you that a relative has been hurt or is in jail, confirm it first before sending any money. Call other relatives or a legitimate law enforcement agency for confirmation before any money is sent. If they're posing as a relative, try and contact that relative for confirmation.
• Sending money overseas is especially risky; use extreme caution.
• Ask the person for their call back number and ask to speak to their supervisor to confirm the info; if it's a scam they will most likely hang up at this point and the number they give you will be bogus.
• If a loved one has recently passed away, be wary; in some cases, perpetrators have even preyed on victims by searching through the obituaries and calling surviving loved ones. If you get calls from people you don't know soon after someone passes away, be careful and confirm it before you send any money.
• In some cases, someone will call and tell the victim that they've won money, but to "process the claim," they need to first send money. Beware this is most definitely a scam and don't send any money — you should never have to pay money to claim a prize. If it seems too good to be true, it most likely is.
• If there's any doubt about a phone call/email/letter you've received, contact the Sheriff's Office before sending any money.
• Scams tend to increase during the holiday season, so be especially alert for them during those times.

If anyone thinks they may have been the victim of a scam, they can contact the Sheriff's Office at 845-486-3800, via the tipline at 845-605-CLUE, or send an email to this address.