The Berks County District Attorney’s Office is alerting residents to a recent surge in telephone scams targeting county residents, particularly the elderly and families of inmates. Investigators have identified two main scams being used to defraud victims.
One prevalent scam, known as the Amazon Fraudulent Purchase Scam, involves a caller pretending to be a law enforcement officer. The scammer claims to be investigating a fraudulent purchase made through Amazon and asks the victim to confirm whether they recently bought a laptop or similar device. When the victim denies making such a purchase, the caller states that the matter is under investigation and requests the victim’s banking institution details. The scammer then transfers the victim to another fraudster posing as a bank representative, who proceeds to collect sensitive personal and financial information. In some instances, a third scammer claiming to be a federal agent joins the call to make the scheme seem more legitimate.
Officials warn that these scammers often provide fake police case numbers, badge numbers, and contact details to appear credible. They may also claim to be working with the Berks County Sheriff’s Department to further their deception.
The second scam, dubbed the Berks County Electronic-Monitor Scam, targets the families of incarcerated individuals. The scammer calls victims while posing as a member of the Berks County Sheriff’s Department, claiming that the inmate is eligible for release via an electronic ankle monitor. The caller states that the victim must pay fees for the device’s activation and monitoring—sometimes totaling thousands of dollars. Payments are requested through peer-to-peer apps such as Cash App, Venmo, Zelle, and Apple Pay.
Authorities emphasize that government agencies, including the Berks County Sheriff’s Department, do not collect ankle monitor fees over the phone. The scam relies on spoofed phone numbers, which make the calls appear to come from official sources, making them particularly convincing.
The District Attorney’s Office advises residents to be cautious and follow these precautions to avoid being scammed: Never share sensitive information like Social Security numbers, banking details, or account balances over the phone. Do not rush into making payments—scammers often pressure victims to act immediately. Verify claims with a trusted family member or friend before taking action. Legitimate government agencies and banks do not demand payments through Bitcoin, gift cards, or peer-to-peer payment platforms. Be skeptical of unsolicited calls, even if the caller claims to be from a government agency or financial institution.
Anyone who receives suspicious calls demanding payment or personal information is urged to contact local police, the Berks County Sheriff’s Department, or the District Attorney’s Office. Reports can also be filed with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov or by calling (877) 382-4357.
