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Email & Telephone Scam Alert

 

The US Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey is advising the public to be aware of a debt collection email and telephone scam in which individuals posing as law enforcement agents or government officials attempt to collect non-existent “debts”.   Victims who receive these emails and telephone calls have been threatened with incarceration if funds are not wired and debts are not collected.

Victims have reported receiving emails and phone calls purporting to be from the U.S. Attorney’s Office directing them to contact a “Justice Department Officer” to arrange payment of their fine or debt.  The callers have sometimes had sensitive identifying information, including social security numbers, of the victims they were calling. The U.S. Attorney’s Office reminds the public that law enforcement agents and government officers do not threaten to arrest or prosecute people for unpaid debts or fines, and do not communicate in this manner via email or telephone. A real employee of the U.S. Attorney’s Office would never contact you by phone or email to demand payment of a debt.

If you receive a phone call or email from someone purporting to be a representative of the U.S. Attorney’s Office asking for money, please report the call or email to the U.S. Attorney’s Office (973) 645-2700, or local law enforcement officials. In addition, please be cautious about providing any personal information (names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security Numbers) to anyone who calls or emails you because it could result in identity theft. 

Updated August 24, 2022