Sheriff Koutoujian Warns of Continuing Scams

Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian is again seeking to warn county residents about ongoing telephone arrest scams.

“Over the past several weeks we have received multiple reports from residents alleging callers are once again fraudulently using the name of the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office in attempts to scam them out of money,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “While we – and our law enforcement colleagues – have been warning residents about these arrest scams for months, perpetrators are showing no signs of letting up in their efforts to defraud taxpayers out of their hard-earned money.”

In the most recent scams reported to the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office, fraudsters have either specifically identified themselves as deputies or, through a practice known as spoofing, managed to make it appear as though the call is being placed from a Middlesex Sheriff’s Office telephone line. In all of the cases the victims are threatened with arrest for failure to pay fictional debts or taxes due to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

“No legitimate law enforcement agency will ever threaten arrest over the phone, nor will they demand payment for debt over the phone,” said Sheriff Koutoujian.

In an effort to help educate the public about ongoing scams in Middlesex County, and beyond, Sheriff Koutoujian hosted Executive Office of Elder Affairs Secretary Ann Hartstein and Better Business Bureau Community Outreach Specialist Amy Schram for an episode of “Beyond the Badge” last month. That episode, with helpful scam prevention tips, can be found on the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office YouTube Channel (http://goo.gl/VHNpBe).

Anyone who receives a call similar in nature to those referenced above is encouraged to contact their local police department. We also ask that you contact the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Investigations Unit at 978-932-3220 if the caller indicates they work for the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office.

– Submitted by Sheriff Koutoujian’s office