DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. — Derry Township Police are warning residents of a suspected phone scam targeting residents of the Dauphin County community.
Scammers posing as police officers are spoofing the Derry Township Police Department's phone number and calling residents, claiming they failed to appear for jury duty or some other court proceeding and must pay a fine to avoid further action.
Here's how the scam typically unfolds, according to the department:
- The scammer, pretending to be an officer from the Derry Township Police Department, calls the victim and demands payment for warrants that were issued for them because they allegedly missed jury duty or for failing to appear in court.
- While keeping the victim on the phone, they instruct the victim to go to a Coinme Bitcoin ATM and deposit cash to pay the warrant.
- These scammers can be persistent and even threatening, making the situation seem urgent and intimidating. They will tell the victim if they contact police they will be arrested and detained immediately.
"It's essential to remember that our police department will never call you to inform you of missed jury duty or demand payment over the phone," the police department said. "If you have indeed missed jury duty or court proceeding, you will be notified through official channels. Investigations into these types of scams are rarely successful and the money given to the scammers cannot be recovered. Be cautious of any calls that ask for payment via credit card, money card, or cryptocurrency.
"Also be cautious of any calls asking you to verify personal information such as your date of birth, social security number and any account passwords. These are clear signs of a scam, and you should not engage with the caller. Instead, just hang up."
Those who believe they may have been victimized by the scam are encouraged to file a report with Derry Township Police.
