Essex County Sheriff’s Office

NEWS RELEASE 

February 14, 2024

Contact: Sheriff Armando Fontoura (973) 621-4105

Essex County Sheriff’s Office Issues Public Safety Service Announcement Regarding Fraudulent Phone Calls

Newark — Essex County Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura issued a Public Safety Service Announcement regarding fraudulent phone calls. This week, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office was made aware of a series of fraudulent calls going out to residents where the caller introduced himself as an Essex County Sheriff’s Officer. The fraudulent caller stated that a court date was missed and that there was a warrant for their arrest. Furthermore, the caller implied that payment was required to make the warrant go away.

Sheriff Fontoura implores the public not to provide personal information or payment to anyone claiming to be affiliated with the Essex County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Fontoura reminds Essex County residents of the following:

1. 1. Anyone who contacts a resident about a legal issue in Essex County and requests payment electronically is a scam.
2. 2. Never provide financial or personal information via telephone.
3. 3. If you never received a summons via mail, ignore the phone call and call the Essex County Sheriff’s Office at 973-621-4111 to report this occurrence.
4. 4. Be aware that even if the caller ID says “Essex County Sheriff’s Office,” this does not mean it is from the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, as scammers can spoof the Caller ID.