HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ – Hunterdon County Sheriff Fred W. Brown is warning residents that scammers are actively contacting residents with new scams regarding utility company bill collections and homeowner
titles.
“All year long criminals find scams which target vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and victims of a disaster or they will use the holidays as a way to entice community members to part with their hard-earned dollars,” Brown said.
The current utility company scam involves phone calls that threaten to cut off power or heat, something that would never be done over the phone. Funds or banking information should not be shared with anyone claiming they are calling from a utility, Brown said.
Title scam callers inform recipients that personal information is needed to prevent a fake title being filed for their home. Residents should always decline to offer information that is personal over the phone to anyone, Brown said.
Sheriff Brown asks any resident receiving these scam calls to hang up immediately and call their local law enforcement office. Filing a police report is recommended to help authorities keep track of current scam activity.
Scam alerts and information have been placed on Sheriff Brown’s website.
Sheriff Brown also encourages residents to report this information on the Federal Trade Commission’s website.
