The Connecticut State Marshal Commission has received several reports from state marshals who have had their name, phone numbers and addresses used in an apparent money collection scam. This same scam occurred in the past.
Here’s how the scam works:
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A scammer calls and says they are a state marshal (using an actual state marshal’s name and address), and demands that you provide funds immediately.
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The scammer says these funds must be provided in order to avoid arrest for violations such as failure to appear in court, failure to attend jury duty, or failure to pay a fine.
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Scammers often ask that you pay via cash, wire transfer, or other untraceable form of payment, making it even more challenging to recover.
While state marshals are authorized under certain circumstances to collect funds from individuals under tax warrants and executions, they will always have written documentation from the court or tax collector to support their claim.
If you encounter something that seems like this scam, here’s what you should do:
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If you receive such a call, hang up and contact the state marshal referenced in the call directly at the number provided on this list: https://www.jud.ct.gov/faq/marshals.htm
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Report the call to local law enforcement. It is a crime to impersonate a state marshal.
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Do not send funds to someone representing themselves to be a state marshal over the phone.
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All state marshals have a state-issued photo identification and a badge. If someone comes to your home or place of work claiming to be a state marshal, request to see their identification and badge, as well as any documentation supporting their presence.
DAS Commissioner Josh Geballe said, “Scams are prevalent and there are new ones forming every day. It is important to always be on guard against fraud and to never be coerced or pressured by someone over the phone. If it doesn’t feel right to you then trust your instincts and hang up the phone and report the fraud to local authorities.”
“Like any imposter scam, someone is trying to scare you into giving them money or other valuable information with threats of jail and other punishments that simply aren’t true,” said DCP Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull. “Recognizing red flags and taking the extra time to verify the identity of the person calling will save consumers time and money in the long run, and reporting scams to police may help prevent someone else from becoming a victim.”
Remember that there are an endless number of types of scams, but they often share the same signs, including threats and people pushing you to act quickly. Don’t fall for it, and no matter the scam or situation, follow your instincts and report it to law enforcement.
The State Marshal Commission is an Executive Branch commission operating within the Department of Administrative Services with independent decision-making authority.
