Friday, October 8, 2010

Sheriff's Office warns of internet and phone scam

The Carteret County Sheriff’s Office is warning citizens about scam who pose as Drug Enforcement Agency agents and attempt to extort money from victims over the phone.
According to a news release about scam: scammers call the victims, who formerly purchased drugs over the Internet or by telephone, and recognize themselves as Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents or law enforcement officials from other agencies. The scammers inform their victims that purchasing drugs over the Internet or by telephone is illegal, and that enforcement action will be taken against them unless they pay a fine.

Sheriff’s office said: impersonators asked their victims to pay the fine by wire transfer to a chosen location, generally overseas. If victims refuse to send money, the impersonators intimidate to arrest them or search their property. Some victims who might have purchased their drugs using a credit card also reported deceptive use of their credit cards.
The sheriff’s office advised that, the public must be aware that DEA agent will never contact members of the public by telephone to demand money or any other kind of payment.
The public needs more cautions when purchasing controlled substance pharmaceuticals by telephone or by the Internet. It is illegal to purchase controlled substance pharmaceuticals online or by telephone unless very severe requirements are met. All pharmacies must be registered with DEA that dispense controlled substance pharmaceuticals by means of the Internet.
If anyone receiving a telephone call from a person purporting to be a DEA special agent seeking money should refuse the demand and report the threat to the Sheriff’s Office or their local police department.Sheriff Office

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