Full Notification

MEDIA ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Sheriff Warns Residents of Phone Scam Impersonating New Jersey Department of Health

Hunterdon County Sheriff Fred Brown is alerting residents to an active phone scam in which callers falsely claim to be representatives of the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) and use spoofed caller ID information to appear legitimate. The New Jersey Department of Health has received multiple reports from residents who were contacted by scammers claiming their personal information had been compromised or that their name was used to illegally obtain prescription drugs in another state. In some cases, callers threatened punishment, instructed residents to contact police, or urged them to visit NJDOH headquarters to resolve the matter. “These calls are fraudulent and are not coming from the New Jersey Department of Health,” said Sheriff Fred Brown. “Scammers are using fear and urgency to pressure residents into sharing personal information or taking immediate action. Residents should know that legitimate government agencies do not threaten punishment, demand money, or request sensitive information over unsolicited phone calls.” The NJDOH emphasizes that it does not make unsolicited calls requesting personal or financial information, demanding payment, or accusing residents of criminal activity. While public health officials may contact individuals as part of legitimate disease investigation or contact tracing efforts, those calls will never involve threats or claims related to illegal drug activity and will never ask for financial information. Commissioner and Health Department Liaison Shaun C. Van Doren urged residents to remain cautious and report suspicious activity, “Scammers can easily manipulate caller ID information to make these calls appear legitimate. Residents should trust their instincts, if a call feels threatening or pressures you to act quickly, hang up immediately and independently verify the information through official government channels.” Residents who receive suspicious calls claiming to be from NJDOH are advised to: • Hang up immediately, especially if the caller pressures you to act. • Do not provide or confirm personal or financial information, including Social Security numbers or banking details. • Never send money or make payments to unexpected callers, even if the caller ID appears legitimate. • Verify legitimacy independently by visiting the NJDOH website or calling phone numbers listed on official government contact pages. • Report scam calls to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs at 973-504-6200 or through its consumer complaint system, and to the Federal Trade Commission at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/ or 1-877- FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). Sheriff Brown added, “This is a reminder that protecting yourself starts with slowing down and verifying before reacting. We encourage residents to share this information with family members, especially seniors, and report any suspicious calls immediately.”