State Police are saying that phone scammers are targeting a new population to try to get a quick buck: registered sex offenders.
State Police are saying in a press release that the scam is similar to ones in the past that rely on creating nervousness and panic on the phone line in the victim so they make a hasty reaction. The caller will tell the victim that they are a law enforcement official and claim that the registered sex offender is not in compliance with their registration requirements, and will sometimes claim that a warrant is out for their arrest. The caller will then explain that if the registered sex offender can get a reloadable cash card or arrange a money transfer, the issue will be resolved.
State Police are saying that they do not solicit registered sex offenders for any type of monetary compensation as part of compliance requirements. Any compliance issues or registration requirements can only be resolved by the offender appearing at an approved registration site, or personal contact with a law enforcement official.
Anyone who believes they have been the victim of this type of scam or similar fraudulent activity should try to verify the phone number, obtain as much information as possible on the caller, note the details on the instructions to resolve the issue and contact their local police.
