U.S. Marshals Warn of Phone Scams
February 16, 2016
Richmond, VA – The U.S. Marshals Service is warning the public today of a telephone scam involving a man posing as a U.S. Marshal. The man reportedly identifies himself as a U.S. Marshal while calling victims to advise that he or she has missed federal grand jury but can avoid arrest by paying a fine immediately.
There are several reported incidents of this scam taking place in Hampton Roads. The Marshals Service became aware of the scam after receiving several calls from alert citizens in the Norfolk, Virginia area.
“This scam has been replicated in other cities in the state and around the country, and we want the public to be aware of this criminal activity”, stated U.S. Marshal of the Eastern District of Virginia Robert Mathieson. 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.
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 the FBI or their local police or Sheriff’s office if they are the victims of fraud. For internet related fraud, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center can be contacted at www.ic3.gov.
Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.
America’s Oldest Federal Law Enforcement Agency
There is another scam involing a caller who identifies himself as a representative with AT&T needing to update the electronic phone card system and requests to run some transactions. When this is done the transactions have cost the store money and the scammer gets the minutes. Store owners be aware. Verify the source.
