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Imagine receiving a letter in the mail from what appears to be a local law enforcement agency claiming that you have been accused of a felony and have failed to appear in court. The letter, which on quick glance looks legitimate, can cause significant alarm. While this may seem like a scenario that wouldn’t impact you, think again! Mainers are receiving faulty notification letters like these. It is important to be mindful of this scam and warn your members about it as well.
Typically with this type of scheme, recipients are encouraged to call a number to make a settlement. This usually involves wiring funds or sending cash to someone claiming to be with a county court.
Occasionally, the fraudsters will follow-up their letter/email with a phone call to the recipient. These calls often spoof the phone number to make it appear as if the person is calling from a courthouse or law enforcement agency.
Keep in mind, a valid warrant would never be sent in the mail, through email, or via fax. It would be served in-person by a legitimate law enforcement representative. If you or one of your members receives a letter (or a phone call) like this, don’t panic; but more importantly—don’t engage! Further, never provide personal or financial information or make a payment to anyone claiming they can settle an arrest warrant. When in doubt, always contact your local police department or county courthouse directly about suspicious communications before taking action.
Please click here to view an example of a letter circulating in Maine. If you look closely, you’ll see Cumberland is spelled incorrectly by the Sheriff’s Department logo. Spelling mistakes, along with discrepancies in font sizes and imagery, are often red flags for fraud—a tip that always is good to keep in mind when reviewing letters or cashier’s checks.