TX: scam targeting sex offenders
Scammers are focusing on a new vulnerable population — sex offenders.
Beaumont Police Department spokesperson Carol Riley said the department has seen seven cases of attempted or completed scams on area sex offenders.
“A lot of their information and registration (as a sex offender) is public,” Riley said.
That makes them an easy target for those looking to profit off the fear of re-incarceration or other violations that offenders worry about after serving their time while still on parole or probation.
“The scam is to call the person and tell them they have a bond to pay or that they’re about to be arrested,” Riley said.
The caller ID will often display as coming from Beaumont police, the city of Beaumont or some other official entity.
“They have the technology to spoof caller ID, so it will look like it’s the right (number),” she explained. “They make up different stories about new DNA or an outstanding bond or whatever, then send them to a location to get cash and take it to a place with Western Union or bitcoin” to send payment.
Sex offenders are an especially easily target because, although they know the system of payments for bonds and more, “they’re so nervous and unnerved by the call and about getting into trouble again, that they believe it and do it,” Riley said.
Some have been scammed out of sums ranging from hundreds to over a couple thousand dollars.
Technology has allowed some scammers to go so far as mimicking family members’ voices culled from social media posts to try and prove their veracity.
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I received one of these calls a couple months ago. Thankfully, I was aware of these scams – I think due to reading about them here!
Best thing to do if you receive any calls claiming to deal with registration, fees, etc:
Be respectful. Get the “officer’s” info (badge number, name, department, what Law enforcement agency they claim to be with, the number & extension they are calling from). Then tell them that you are aware of the scams against those on the registry, that you are sure they must also be aware of such scams, and that you will be calling their agency on a verified number and asking to speak with that officer. Then hang up.
Look up the number for that agency online and call them directly on that number – don’t just call the number the scammer gives you – and ask to speak to that officer. When they say they have no knowledge of that officer or the situation, give them all the info that you gathered.
You might also want to contact your supervision officer and let him or her know that the scam is targeting locals so they can pass the word. I also contacted the office that handled my treatment program so they could inform those currently in treatment.
I never answer the phone unless I know who it is first. Besides, the cops never call anyone in advance to say they have a warrant.
“Riley advises that any offenders (or potential scam victims in general) thank the caller for letting them know of the situation, ask for their name and number, then research that information with the police, city, utility, their parole or probation officer. “You need to check if that number is really the Beaumont Police Department number and verify it before you just go off and send money,” Riley said.
That is his advice?! Not….NO Agency is going to EVER ask you to get cash to send somewhere. And how about…..see what information you can get and make a police report.
100% way to stop this. Tell them you will meet them inside the sheriff’s office. I have done that 3 times and all 3 times they hang up after cussing me out.
Also, almost never will law enforcement call you if you have a warrant as that gives you a heads up to take off. On a very rare occasions they may do so as a last resort to get you to surrender peacefully.
Even in that last scenario the real deputies will gladly agree to have them meet you inside the sheriff’s office as that saves them from having to come get you and you are on their turf. And the only money you might ever owe is a bond that is paid either to a REAL bond agent or cash to avoid an agent at the jail. And that is once you are arrested. Unless you do like I did and bond out before they arrest you LOL
Last time I got one of these, I told the scammer in the most explicit way possible where I planned to deposit my DNA. Maybe I should’ve went along with it long enough to try to determine their identity but I have no patience.
Derek I always have so much fun with these morons when they call. I go along with them acting like I’m real concerned and then I tell him where to stick it and laugh my ass off at them. This is the exact reason people need to be involved with organizations like FAC and Oncefallen.com to inform them this is going on with these morons.
Been a few years since I got one of these calls. The last one I got, they told me I refused a court order for a DNA sample. I told them to mail me another one, I’d wipe my ass with it, mail it back to them and they could get their sample from that. A few threats later, I told them to come get me. Oddly enough, no one showed.
I’m waiting for one of them to try this s _ _ t with me.
I have been called 5 times by several of these morons with in the past 3 years. The first time it sounded very convincing saying they needed a new DNA sample and had sent a letter saying I needed to be at their office. They also said that since I did not show up that there was a warrant for my arrest and were coming to get me if I did not pony up some money. They had spoofed the local sheriff’s office number in Dallas County and actually 3 people posing as cops and each had his own extension! At first it scared the hell out of me. Then I started listening to this idiot on the phone get more aggressive and more aggressive. I had a land line handy with a speaker on it so I started dialing the Dallas S.O. registration office to check out if this was legit. He heard the dialing and got really upset. I told him I was calling my lawyer. He hung up. Now when I get these calls I just mess with with them. Their game is getting very old. Remember. The cops will NEVER call you. They just come and take you away.