Scammers, Claiming to be RC “Detectives,” Trick Victims into Sending Money Through Zelle

By Sarah Morgenstern

Scammers who identify themselves as detectives from the Rockland County Sheriff's Office have been calling residents, whom are tricked into sending the thieves money through Zelle and other mobile payments, the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office reported.

The scammers are telling their victims that they have been served subpoenas to appear as witnesses in Rockland County Court, but that they failed to appear.

The scammers then tell their unsuspecting victims that they are “in contempt of court,” and must be issued warrants.

Instead of those who are calling having to submit to criminal proceedings, however, the scammers tell their victims that they can choose civil judgements that require payments through Zelle to the court’s finance department.

The Rockland County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that it will never ask for payments over the phone through Zelle, Venmo, nor Pay Pal, so residents are asked not to respond to such callers.

Photo credit: Flickr