The Northampton County Sheriff’s Department is warning residents about a recent telephone scam involving individuals claiming to be deputies and demanding immediate payment for outstanding warrants or fines. These scammers, posing as a “Sgt. James Riley” of the sheriff’s department, have reportedly threatened residents with jail time if the payments are not made via credit card or bitcoin.
The Sheriff’s Department issued a statement last week in which it said it does not solicit money over the phone in lieu of arrest and identified the calls as “a scam.” Anyone receiving such calls can report the incidents to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office by calling 1-800-441-2555 or emailing scams@attorneygeneral.gov.
This local news story was reported with generative AI assistance.