RALEIGH. N.C. (NCN News) — Attorney General Jeff Jackson is warning domestic violence victims in North Carolina of new scams in which scammers impersonate law enforcement to steal victims’ money.
Scammers pretend to be law enforcement officers or court officials. They often reach out to victims of domestic violence right after an arrest, a court hearing, or court date, so the victim is more likely to believe the call. They use details from the victim’s investigative or court records to make the scams personal to the victim’s situation. Because victims of domestic violence are often the subject of financial, emotional, or physical abuse, they may feel pressured to make decisions that harm them but benefit their abuser.
Here are some examples of what these scams may look like:
• The victim needs to make a payment immediately to post bond for their alleged abuser. Because victims of domestic violence are in abusive relationships, they may be more likely to feel like they need to make that payment.
• The district attorney will dismiss the charges against their alleged abuser if the victim makes a payment.
• To process a domestic violence protection order, the victim needs to pay a processing/filing fee over the phone.
• Their abuser is about to be released from prison, but they need to pay for electronic monitoring before the defendant can be released.
• The jail or prison is dealing with shortages of supplies or other necessary items, and the abuser may be released unless the victim makes an immediate payment.
Scammers may also discourage victims from seeking help from Family Justice Centers or victim service providers by falsely claiming they cost more money. They are trying to create a sense of urgency and make victims feel as if they have nowhere to turn for help.
“Let me be clear on this: No legitimate law enforcement agency or district attorney will call you to demand money,” said Jackson. “If you get a call like that, it’s a scam. Hang up and call law enforcement. There are real, legitimate resources in North Carolina for victims of domestic violence, and I hope you will seek them out.”
“Prosecutors are uniquely aware of the dangers associated with domestic violence cases, and how volatile they can be for victims,” said Randolph County District Attorney and President of the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys Andy Gregson. “We have grave concerns about victims’ personal information being used against them by scammers, and we’re going to do everything we can to keep victims and families safe.”
“As law enforcement officers, our priority in domestic violence cases is protecting victims and connecting them with resources that enhance their safety,” said Sylva Assistant Chief of Police Robbie Carter. “Scammers often try to create panic and pressure victims into making quick decisions. We want to remind victims that legitimate law enforcement agencies will never ask them to send money for a protective order or electronic monitoring. If you receive a suspicious call, end the conversation and reach out directly to your local law enforcement agency, domestic violence advocacy center, or Family Justice Center. Free help and support are available to victims of domestic violence 24 hours a day.”
“Domestic violence survivors have already experienced an enormous amount of fear, control, and manipulation,” said Guilford County Family Justice Center Director Sonya Desai. “They should never be targeted by someone pretending to be a court or law enforcement official asking for money. Our message to survivors is simple: The burden of holding an offender accountable belongs to the justice system, not the survivor.”
The scams have been reported in North Carolina and other parts of the country. In cases reported in North Carolina, there’s no clear indication of how the scammer got the victim’s information, though it was likely through court filings and other public information. Scammers can access public information for county district and superior court cases and compare civil calendars and family court dockets to identify domestic violence cases and the parties involved.
A district attorney’s office will never dismiss charges in exchange for money, filing a domestic violence protection order never costs money, and victim services are available for free by calling Family Justice Centers or local 24/7 crisis hotlines.
A database of these hotlines is available on the North Carolina Department of Administration’s website. Information on filing a domestic violence protection order is available on the NC Courts website.
If you get a call from someone claiming to be a law enforcement officer, do the following:
• Hang up and call for help. Scammers will try to create a sense of urgency and isolate the victim. Hang up and call a crisis hotline or law enforcement to discuss safety planning.
• Do not provide payment. No legitimate law enforcement agency will call you to demand money to dismiss charges or to pay for a protective order, and they will never threaten you if you do not pay. Any call like that is a scam.
• Remember that filing protective orders and using victim services are free. If someone trying to get money from you tells you otherwise, it’s a scam.
• Contact the Consumer Protection Division if you think you have been scammed. Call 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or file a complaint online.