New phone scam targets fraudulent demand for fines payment
It seems like there’s a new scam of some sort happening every day and the latest one centers on a caller saying the feds are looking for you and that there’s an active warrant out for your arrest.
There have been reported attempts of a fraudulent caller who identified himself as a Deputy United States Marshal. This phony law enforcement officer informed the potential victims that warrants were being issued for them or their family members due to being absent from a federal grand jury they were previously summoned to appear before.
The potential victims were then informed they could avoid arrest by paying a fine by electronic fund transfer or cashier’s check.
The U.S. Marshals Service is a federal law enforcement agency and does not seek payment of fines or fees via the telephone for individuals with outstanding arrest warrants.
The U.S. Marshals Service urges individuals not to divulge personal or financial information to unknown callers and highly recommends the public report similar crimes to their local police office.
If you believe you are a victim of fraud, report the incident through the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. Also, you should report online, business or phone scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) immediately at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov.
This information comes from the Tunica County Sheriff’s Office but we provide it here knowing DeSoto County residents are likely to be getting calls of this type, if they haven’t done so already.
