From the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office:
The Chemung County Sheriff’s Office wants to warn the public about a current scam involving an individual(s) posing to be a representative from the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office.
This week, we have received numerous calls from a variety of individuals advising that they have been contacted by an individual identifying himself as Sergeant Jim Ritter of the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office. According to the complainants, “Sgt. Ritter” has advised them that they have a warrant for their arrest and was requesting money for a court summons and/or Civil Process. The caller is advising that the “warrant of arrest” is for Failure to Appear, Criminal Contempt, or regarding a Civil Process, and even mentions the Honorable Chris Baker as the issuing judge of the warrant(s).
The recipients of these calls are being directed by the caller to respond to either a Dollar General or Family Dollar store to secure money pak cards. The caller remains on the phone with the intended victim, requesting them to then scratch off the code on the back of the cards and give them the number that appears.
Be advised that these calls are fraudulent. No member of the Sheriff’s Office contacts the public under these circumstances demanding money. The Sheriff’s Office is advising the public not to disclose any personal information over the phone, to include credit and/or debit card information, and not to send any type of payment to this person or any person who identifies themselves as a law enforcement officer requesting money under these circumstances. If you do receive a call of this nature, simply end the call immediately or advise the caller that the Sheriff’s Office is aware of this scam.
If you have received one of these calls and/or have been scammed out of any money under these circumstances, please contact the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at 607-737-2933 to report same.
