Full Notification

CRIME ADVISORY

Criminals are making phone calls to individuals and identifying themselves as law enforcement personnel with the Sheriff’s Office.

Santa Fe, NM, November 18, 2015 - Santa Fe County Sheriff Robert A. Garcia would like to notify the public of a phone scam targeting residents of Santa Fe County that demands payment to settle an outstanding arrest warrant for failure to appear for jury duty.

According to Sheriff Garcia, “the criminals demand payment for a warrant, telling the victim that they’ve missed jury duty and that a warrant was issued for the individual’s arrest.” The caller then instructs the victim to get a money card, or similar card, and preload the card with a designated amount to pay the fine. Victims are told that if they pay the fine the arrest warrant will be dismissed. “Under no circumstance, whatsoever, will the Sheriff’s Office or any Law Enforcement agency take payment over the phone or ask for money,” said Sheriff Garcia.

The phone scam criminals are identifying themselves as “Lieutenant John Stone” with the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office and have been using (505) 814-0655 to make these calls, but other numbers may also be in operation.

Sheriff Garcia reminds the public not to become a victim “and not to provide personal information, bank information or provide payment over the phone if they are called by these criminals.”

The public is encouraged to report this crime by calling (505) 428-3720.