RI Dept. of Public Safety Warns of Phone Scam Seeking Money for Fines
Thursday, December 19, 2019
The Rhode Island Department of Public Safety is warning residents to be aware of a telephone scam that demands money for fictitious fines.
Since November 8, 2019, victims of the scam have lost between $1,000 and $6,500.
The Scam
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAccording to public safety, multiple people have reported receiving phone calls from an individual claiming to be employed with the RI Sheriffs.
The caller provides the victim with a false name and rank and advises the victim that they have either missed a court date or failed to answer a subpoena as an expert witness and that warrants have been issued for their arrest for failure to appear.
In some instances, a false court docket number is provided.
The caller tells the victim that the matter can be handled without arrest if the victim agrees to pay a fine instead, which sometimes exceeds the amount of $5,000.
The caller then instructs the victim to withdraw the money for the fine from their bank account and place the money on "Reload It" gift cards.
The caller provides an address in Washington D.C. to mail the cards to but first directs the victim to provide both the card numbers and security code numbers over the phone before placing them in the mail.
Scam Prevention
Rhode Island State Police Colonel James Manni and Chief Sheriff David DeCesare stress that the Division of Sheriffs does call people to ask them to arrange for service of summonses or writs.
However, sheriffs do not call to impose nor arrange or receive payment of fines or any other fees.
Anyone with questions about any call from his office can contact the Division of Sheriffs at 401-275-2900 to confirm whether it is legitimate.
PHOTO: torbakhopper/Flickr Commons
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