Hopatcong Police Warn Of 'Multiple Scams' Circulating In Town

HOPATCONG, NJ - The new year has brought a new surge in scammer activity, as the Hopatcong Police Department is reporting multiple people calling about multiple scams that have been circulating in town.

"Scammers are desperate and will go to extremes to steal your hard-earned money," police said in a statement. "We had a scam where an individual was pretending to be a woman's grandson who was involved in an accident and arrested for a DWI."

Police said it wasn’t her grandson but the grandmother is 93 and thought it was until a family member intervened and took the call. After the call, he immediately contacted the Hopatcong Police Department.

"The scammers were about to come collect the fake debt until they discovered we were involved," police said. "Local police departments have been handling several cases involving scams. We just wanted to share some of the methods that the scammers are utilizing. The communication may be telephonic, text, or email."

Some notes from the Hopatcong Police:

• Family member arrested for DWI or other offenses and they need bail money to be released. Police or Lawyer usually the fraudulent caller.
• IRS (tax season) stating they owe money on their back taxes and the Police are going to come and arrest them if they do not pay right now.
• Social Security Administration stating there is an issue with their social security number/information and they have to call in to fix it or they will lose their benefits.
• Church Official (email or text) stating they need money for needy parishioners at their church. The email will be in the name of the church official so it will look like a real email.
• FBI stating there is a warrant out for their arrest and they need to satisfy it or be arrested.
• Collections Agency stating they owe money for past medical bills or just past bills in general.

"Many of the incidents either play on your sympathy for a family member or try to scare you into thinking that you will be arrested," police said. "Never give any personal information, under any circumstance, unless you can verify and confirm that the conversation you are having is legitimate."

Hopatcong Police say to ask questions of the person that contacted you.

"If we use #1 as an example. Ask what the family member's middle name is? Ask them to physically describe the family member? Ask where they live? Ask what car they were driving? Ask what jurisdiction the arrest was made in and their phone number?" police said. "As you press them with questions, they will likely hang up. But be prepared that they may be able to answer some of your questions as scammers use social media to check up on people before trying to victimize them."

Those who feel that they have been victimized by a scam should call us for assistance. For Emergencies dial 911. The main dispatch line is (973) 398-5000.

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