Scammers target persons forced to register as sex offenders with fake warrant claims
The Steuben County (RI)Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning about scammers impersonating law enforcement officials to extort money from registered sex offenders.
Sheriff Jim Allard reports that scammers are contacting registered sex offenders claiming to be members of the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office.
The fraudulent callers tell victims that arrest warrants have been issued due to missed DNA submissions.
The scammers then demand payment through “non-traditional means” to have the supposed warrants vacated.
Potential victims should contact law enforcement by calling 911 or their local police department to report any suspected scam activity.
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I got one of those calls. I made a rude comment in regards to how and where I would deposit my DNA. He never called back.
I’ve been targeted for this. So has my family. I told sheriff’s office. They just shrugged. If and when I get another call, I plan on asking for a badge number and refer them to my attorney.
Here’s the reality. FAC has received hundreds of complaints about this over the years. Worse, we’ve heard from dozens who were scammed out of thousands of dollars.
The recurring theme is they report it to the police and at best they get disinterest, at worst they get a snarky response or the common, “well you should have thought of that before you committed a sex offense” – like this is the expected consequence.
Fact is; branded with this stigmatizing label persons forced to register make unsympathetic victims. Some officers enjoy it when we are scammed, our homes vandalized, or physically harmed. It comes from the top down. Look at some of the comments from the Sheriffs of counties like Polk and Putnam.
So what can you do? If an officer fails to perform their duty, file a complaint with their internal affairs department. Also, report it to the FDLE’s Professional Compliance Section ((850) 410-7000). Also, contact the US DOJ DOJ through http://www.civilrights.justice.gov or by calling (202) 514-3847.
Ive been getting calls for the past 3 years saying they are going to serve me papers etc. and someone would be coming to my work or home. nobodys ever come. Different numbers to call them back also.