State court officials are warning Pennsylvanians to remain alert after reports of a phone scam designed to extort money by impersonating judicial authorities.
The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) recently issued the advisory after learning of “spoofing” attacks where callers manipulate caller ID to mimic legitimate court telephone numbers.
According to officials, the scammers typically inform victims they have missed jury duty and that an active warrant has been issued for their arrest due to unpaid court fines and fees.
In a bid to create a sense of urgency, callers threaten to dispatch law enforcement to arrest the individual unless immediate payment is made.
The scheme often includes a claim that a fictitious “gag order” is attached to the warrant, which scammers use to intimidate victims into not reporting the encounter to the police.
Court officials said that the judiciary operates differently than the scam callers suggest.
“Courts in Pennsylvania will never place calls soliciting payments by credit card, gift card, or any other means of electronic funds transfer for any reason,” the AOPC said in a statement.
Authorities said anyone who receives a suspicious call claiming to be from the Pennsylvania Courts should withhold all sensitive information and refuse any requests for payment.
Instead, residents are encouraged to hang up immediately.
Potential victims should report these incidents to state or local police.
Reports can also be filed with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection by calling 1-800-441-2555 or emailing scams@attorneygeneral.gov.
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