The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts has issued a warning about a new phone scam that threatens to put people’s names on the state’s sexual offender registry unless they immediately settle up their unpaid fines or court fees.
The advisory says the calls mimic the AOPC’s phone number, making it seem like they are legitimate. However, the AOPC will never place calls or ask for payments by credit card, gift card, or any other means of electronic fund transfer.
A person can only be placed on the sexual offender registry after a conviction for a sex offense, an evaluation by the Sexual Offenders Assessment Board, and a court order.
The warning does not say if the people being targeted actually owe fines or fees, or if they even have sexual offense cases in the criminal justice system.
If you get such a call, you are advised to hang up and call your local or state police, and/or the Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Protection at 800-441-2555. You may also email scams@attorneygeneral.gov.
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