New program to prevent law enforcement telephone scam

People posing as police to collect fines for missed court dates and other legal matters.

August 31, 2021 at 12:07AM
Hennepin County Sheriff David Hutchinson, left, and Major Dawanna Witt walked around city hall Thursday, March 25, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minn.] Jerry Holt •Jerry.Holt@startribune.com
Hennepin County Sheriff David Hutchinson, left, seen on March 25, said the Cops Don’t Call for Cash program will crack down on scammers claiming to represent his office. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office is leading a multiagency program to prevent the continuing problem of people posing as law enforcement representatives to collect fines for missed court dates or jury duty.

The program, called "Cops Don't Call for Cash," is focused on educating the public that law enforcement agencies don't contact individuals by telephone or e-mail for any kind of payment over legal matters.

"For years, criminals have been posing as law enforcement and demanding payment for some nonexistent legal issue. These scams are often quite sophisticated and are designed to make people feel panicked," Sheriff David Hutchinson said Monday in a statement announcing the program. "Fortunately, this is one of those issues for which education is really the answer. That's why we gave this program the title 'Cops Don't Call for Cash.' Simply remember the name and you'll be able instantly spot a phone scam."

The Sheriff's Office doesn't know the exact number of complaints it's received, but it has experienced a "wave" of reports from scammers claiming to represent the office, said spokesman Jeremy Zoss. It's hard to prosecute the crime because it's challenging to arrest the callers, he said. The Minneapolis Police Department has also had an increase in complaints.

In this type of scam, the caller tells the recipient that a warrant is out for their arrest because they missed a federal court appearance. The caller threatens arrest unless they pay a fine and encourages them to buy prepaid money transfer cards.

The scammers often have technology to make it appear they are calling from a legitimate law enforcement agency telephone number, said the Sheriff's Office. Law enforcement agencies will contact people who owe a fine only by mail.

Anyone who believes they have been victimized by a scam caller should record the caller's number, save any voice mails that may have been left and contact their local law enforcement agency.

David Chanen

about the writer

David Chanen

Reporter

David Chanen is a reporter covering Hennepin County government and Prince's estate dealings. He previously covered crime, courts and spent two sessions at the Legislature.

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