A resident reached out to this office to share his experience.
He received a phone call. He heard a very muffled voice on the other end and assumed it was his grandchild. That is when the scam took off. "I'm on the scene right now and about to be arrested, but it's not my fault." The grandparent said, "Let me talk with the officer."
An individual posing as a police officer from Hartford, CT Police Department took the phone, provided a false name, badge number, and case number. The alleged officer told the concerned grandparent that the grandchild was under arrest. A second phone call will be coming from a Public Defender shortly; please answer the call.
Soon the resident received a second call from the area code, showing Hartford, CT. The caller claimed to be a public defender. Our resident told the person this was a scam, and the call was immediately disconnected.
Our office has confirmed with Hartford, CT Police Department they are aware of the situation but have been unsuccessful in locating the scammers at this time.
Red Flags:
- Officers at an accident are unlikely to get on the phone and speak with a third party, like a grandparent. Police don't warn when someone is getting arrested. The officer would charge the individual, and the arrestee could call from the police station.
- A public defender will not immediately be assigned to someone arrested and call the grandparent of an arrestee.
- Individuals in an automobile accident do not typically get arrested.
- The caller alleged the automobile accident involved a rental vehicle; most rental companies do not rent to individuals under 25 years old.
Should you receive a call similar in nature. Take any information the caller provides. Call your loved ones directly to ensure they are not in trouble.
Report these types of calls to:
The Federal Trade Commission, 1-877-382-4357.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations
The Federal Communications Commissions, 1-888-225-5322.
If you require additional assistance, reach our office at 716-858-6169, consumerprotection@erie.gov.
