Bench Warrent Scam

[reddwil]

Very interesting thing happened to my wife yesterday. She was contacted by a guy claiming to be with the Magistrate court stating she had 2 bench warrants for her arrest. Both were failure to appear. So my wife instantly panicked. The guy told her she had to come to the court house and turn herself in right then. She would need to bring $755 for the fines. It would have to be a pre paid visa card. Immediately I smelled something. So while she was on the phone with him, I called a friend at the Sheriff Dept. She had no warrants. The guy asked my wife who I was speaking with, and he hung up on her when she said the Sheriff Dept. Since we had his number they were able to trace the number and the owner. 30 minutes later the phone was disconnected. The police said it was either a pre pay or someone had cloned the phone. Scary thing is this guy knew everything about my wife, all her personal information.

Crazy thing is what not sure of how the scam would have played out. He didn't ask for a credit card payment on the phone. The address he gave for the court house was true, so what would of happened when we showed up. Would our house been robbed while we were gone. Makes you wonder.

 

[stonepecker]

Was any of her information he was using NOT public record?
It was great that you were there to call the Sheriff Dept at the same time he was on line with your wife.
"Failure to appear" ....... for what reason? You have to have a reason to appear before there can be a failure.

And you are right, It could have been just a reason to get her out of the house. Rob the house while you were on a wild goose chase. Maybe set her up for a holdup or carjacking.
When something like this happens.......DON'T rush to believe what is being said. Don't give out more facts and help them. Listen to what they say and then realize THEY CALLED YOU......totally different thing when you are calling someone.

I am so very happy that you were able to avoid this.

 

[reddwil]

Failure to appear for Jury Duty. He had her DOB, address, Maiden Name, DL number. The first thing that got my attention was the fact he called to start with. I have enough friends and family in law enforcement to know they don't call to tell you that you have a warrant. Which was again verified last night. He never asked her for anything over the phone, only that she had to come turn herself in and bring money to pay the fines

 

[brownsfn2]

When you have a bench warrant issued I am pretty sure they show up in person to talk to you.

My neighbor was on vacation for a while and did not report. They showed up and she was not home so they came to my place to ask about it.