Hunterdon County officials warn residents about ongoing phone scams posing as law enforcement

HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ – The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office and the Hunterdon County Sheriff’s Office are advising local residents to remain vigilant regarding ongoing phone scams, in which perpetrators impersonate members of law enforcement. These scams have been reported both nationally and within Hunterdon County.

The scammers typically claim that a warrant has been issued for the victim’s arrest due to failure to appear in court, failure to pay taxes, or other similar offenses. They may use the names of real law enforcement officers and disguise their phone numbers to make it appear as though the call is coming from a local police department or sheriff’s office. The scammers then instruct victims to withdraw money from their bank accounts and deposit it into fraudulent accounts. They provide account numbers, PINs, and direct victims to locations such as CoinStar machines to deposit the money. In some cases, victims may also receive text messages requesting signatures and a voicemail box that states individuals are calling the Hunterdon County Sheriff’s Office.

Legitimate law enforcement will never demand that fines or fees be paid using gift cards, cryptocurrency, or over the phone.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Never provide your Social Security number or date of birth to anyone who contacts you unsolicited.
• Never share financial information such as bank account or credit card numbers.
• Never purchase a product, such as gift cards or cryptocurrency, to pay a debt.

If you receive a call about a debt or warrant from someone claiming to be a law enforcement officer, get the name of the individual, hang up the phone, and call the agency’s main telephone line. Verify the officer’s identity by contacting the department directly—not using the number provided by the caller.

Residents are also urged to report any suspicious calls to their local police department.