Mercer County Sheriff warns residents about latest telephone scam

Mercer County Sheriff Jack Kemler is warning area residents about scammers who make phone calls posing as sheriff officers for Mercer County.

Over the past several days, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office has received numerous complaints from the public about scammers calling residents and asking for personal bank account information and immediate cash payments. The scammers spoofing a 609-area code identify themselves as Mercer County Sheriff officers, sometimes posing as a sergeant or lieutenant on the telephone. The callers say they have an urgent matter involving an arrest warrant or similar legal matter. They then ask for immediate payment or personal information such as bank accounts and social security numbers.

“I strongly remind residents the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office will never call anyone and ask for personal account information or request money to clear up a warrant or any other type of legal matter under my jurisdiction,” Kemler said.

Law enforcement officials said it is difficult to crack down on telephone scammers because calls are often generated from phone banks out of state. Officials recommend that you do not give out any personal information by phone. Hang up instead. If you think a call is legitimate, hang up anyway and call the official number on record for your bank, police department, sheriff, or other agency the caller claims to be calling from. Anyone who receives such a call should report the call to the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office at 609-989-6111.